Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This driver musical chairs means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen took part in first practice 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.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan for some time to prepare 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 "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, 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."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
His performances included an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, 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 "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
