Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Elevated, Youngster Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has announced significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
The British teen drove 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.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won 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
Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
Hadjar's F1 career 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 emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances included an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
The Lawson Decision
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
