Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Gets Grand Prix Debut.
Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
These changes sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
A Star in the Making
The British teen took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
The youngster was tagged as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Discussing the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "pure speed".
The team has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Hadjar's Big Break
The French driver celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out newcomers this season.
His performances featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "prepared".
The Lawson Decision
For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. However, he has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.
The driver market moves mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 next season.
