Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Teenager Arvid Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat.

Two Red Bull junior drivers

Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship.

The Red Bull team has revealed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.

Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.

This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint.

Who is Arvid Lindblad?

Arvid Lindblad in a Formula 1 car

Arvid Lindblad participated in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.

Lindblad has been marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.

Regarding the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "pure speed".

Red Bull has had a plan since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City.

Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "Next season represents a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."

Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.

Hadjar's Big Break

Hadjar on the rostrum

The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.

The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.

He featured an excellent top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.

The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."

The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".

Tsunoda's Exit

For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.

The New Zealander started 2025 with the main team but was moved back early in the year. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.

Tsunoda, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.

The driver market moves confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.

Angela Jackson
Angela Jackson

A seasoned gaming technician with over 15 years of experience in slot machine maintenance and casino operations across Europe.