Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Arvid Lindblad Gets F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has announced significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.
This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", commenting: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he crashed 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.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
