Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is tenth in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers this season.
He included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was demoted after just two races. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
