Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
The Austrian squad has announced a new line-up for the 2026 Grand Prix year, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This driver musical chairs sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1.
A Star in the Making
The British teen took part in first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's young driver programme, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "natural quickness".
The team has had a plan since last year to ready 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: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies this season.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Isack has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.