Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This driver musical chairs results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
The British teen took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "pure speed".
The team prepared a programme for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted 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, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
