Red Bull Reveals Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Elevated, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings.
The Red Bull team has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This reshuffling results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.
The New British Hope
The British teen drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Regarding the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "natural quickness".
Red Bull prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", commenting: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
Hadjar's F1 career began on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.
He featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the championship.
The team principal commented: "Isack has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at Racing Bulls, 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 settled back in at Racing Bulls with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total.
These announcements mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.
