French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia currently sitting tenth in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 standings.
The Red Bull team has announced significant changes for the 2026 F1 campaign, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding British teenager 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 second team Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
The New British Hope
The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.
Talking about the team's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", commending his "raw pace".
Red Bull has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "huge honour", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A Major Opportunity for Hadjar
Isack Hadjar enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies this season.
His performances included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.
A senior team figure commented: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have chosen Lawson over Tsunoda.
Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. He has settled back in at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.
The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements mean that there remains no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
