Red Bull Confirms Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Secures Formula 1 Seat.
Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
This driver musical chairs means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
Arvid Lindblad participated in FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was identified as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "pure speed".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, since then, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.
He included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Hadjar has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
