Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
The Red Bull team has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
The British teen took part in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "raw pace".
Red Bull has had a plan since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances 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 ready to work closely with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies this season.
He included an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed impressive growth 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 succeed next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
