Red Bull confirmed on Monday who will drive for its two Formula 1 teams in 2026, announcing that Frenchman Isack Hadjar will step up to partner Max Verstappen while 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad will make his debut with Racing Bulls.
The reshuffle ends Yuki Tsunoda’s five-year stint on the grid and completes a rapid rise for both Hadjar and Lindblad, who have been among the standout performers in the junior ranks. Lindblad will line up alongside New Zealander Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, becoming the latest British driver to join a field that already includes Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, George Russell, Oliver Bearman and Alex Albon, who races under the Thai flag but grew up in Britain.
Hadjar, 21, earns promotion after an impressive rookie campaign that included an eye-catching podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. Despite a difficult debut in Australia, where he spun out on the formation lap in wet conditions, he has rebounded with consistent qualifying pace, averaging tenth on the grid and out-qualifying Lawson 22 times to five. He sits tenth in the championship heading into the Abu Dhabi finale.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said the team believes Hadjar has the speed and temperament to thrive alongside Verstappen, adding that the Frenchman has shown maturity and an ability to learn quickly. Hadjar described the move as “awesome” and said he feels ready for the challenge.
Lindblad’s promotion continues a development path that began when Red Bull identified him as a prospect at the age of 12. The teenager, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, has been steadily prepared for Formula 1, including securing the points required for a superlicence and completing practice outings at Silverstone and Mexico City. He is sixth in the Formula 2 standings with two race wins as the series heads into its final round.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport adviser, has long championed Lindblad’s potential, praising his pace and recalling an F3 victory at Silverstone in 2024 when he surged from last to first in mixed conditions. Marko also noted Lindblad’s confidence and clarity of ambition when they first met on a karting weekend in Portimao.
Lindblad, who was born and raised in Virginia Water in Surrey and is managed by Formula E champion Oliver Rowland, said securing a Formula 1 seat was a “proud moment”. He acknowledged that 2026 will bring a steep learning curve but said he is ready to work closely with the team.
The moves underline Red Bull’s continued investment in its driver academy, as well as its belief that both Hadjar and Lindblad can become long-term assets at the top level.
