🔗 Share this article Red Bull Announces Significant 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Steps Up, Youngster Lindblad Secures F1 Drive. Isack Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 standings. The Red Bull team has confirmed significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat. The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB. This driver musical chairs results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons. The New British Hope The British teen drove first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year. Lindblad has been identified as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old. Talking about the company's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "raw pace". Red Bull prepared a programme 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 "dream come true", adding: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started." Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi. A Major Opportunity for Hadjar Isack Hadjar celebrates his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race in August. The Frenchman's debut season started on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies this season. His performances featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship. A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max." The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready". Lawson Retains His Seat For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of 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 merits another season. Tsunoda, meanwhile, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total. The driver market moves mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.