Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Red Bull team has revealed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This reshuffling results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has had a plan since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
He featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back after just two races. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
