Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was tagged as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "raw pace".
The team has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies this season.
He included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for 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 Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
