Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.
French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.
Red Bull has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Grand Prix year, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
This reshuffling means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.
A Star in the Making
The British teen drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
Lindblad has been tagged as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "raw pace".
Red Bull has been working since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, 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 standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The Frenchman's Chance
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
He included an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure commented: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was demoted after just two races. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
The driver market moves confirm that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.