Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
The British teen took part in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "natural quickness".
The team prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
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 during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".
Tsunoda's Exit
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. He has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
