Red Bull Reveals Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Elevated, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Earns Grand Prix Debut.

Two Red Bull junior drivers

Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings.

Red Bull has revealed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 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 junior outfit VCARB.

These changes results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.

Who is Arvid Lindblad?

Arvid Lindblad in a Formula 1 car

The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.

The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.

Talking about the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "natural quickness".

The team has had a plan for some time to prepare Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.

The rookie said it was a "huge honour", 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 am incredibly excited to get started."

He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

A Major Opportunity for Hadjar

Hadjar on the rostrum

The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season.

The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies this season.

He featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.

A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."

The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready".

Tsunoda's Exit

For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have chosen Lawson instead of Tsunoda.

The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.

Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing 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 programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.

John Harper
John Harper

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