Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This driver musical chairs results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "pure speed".
Red Bull has had a plan since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
