Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was identified as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Isack has shown great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
