Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Elevated, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures F1 Drive.

The Red Bull team has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.

Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.

This driver musical chairs sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.

A Star in the Making

Lindblad has been marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.

Discussing the team's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", commending his "natural quickness".

The team prepared a programme since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, featuring runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.

The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager 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 this year and is P6 in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

A Major Opportunity for Hadjar

Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers this season.

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

A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity 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 thrive next to Max."

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

Lawson Retains His Seat

To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson over Tsunoda.

Lawson started 2025 with the main team 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.

The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's points total.

These announcements confirm that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.