Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
The Austrian squad has announced significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
Lindblad, 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 Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad participated in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "natural quickness".
Red Bull has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
He included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has shown 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 succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for 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 some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.
