Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Elevated, Teenager Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen participated in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "pure speed".
Red Bull has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", adding: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
His performances included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
