Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener currently sitting tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 Grand Prix year, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This reshuffling means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.
Who is Arvid Lindblad?
Arvid Lindblad participated in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, 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 so far this season and is sixth in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
The French driver enjoys his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
He included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, 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.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
