Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive post a half-decade in F1.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad drove FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "pure speed".
The team has had a plan since last year to prepare Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "dream come true", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year.
His performances included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, 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 next season.
