French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 championship.
The Red Bull team has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up French driver Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his debut F1 drive.
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB.
These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.
The New British Hope
Arvid Lindblad drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "natural quickness".
Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions 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 plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."
He has won two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August.
Hadjar's F1 career started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared".
Tsunoda's Exit
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has scored 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 Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
