🔗 Share this article Red Bull Announces Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Steps Up, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Secures F1 Drive. Isack Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings. The Austrian squad has announced a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive. Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB. These changes results in Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1. The New British Hope The British teen drove FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year. The youngster was tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old. Talking about the company's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "pure speed". Red Bull prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City. The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "Next season represents a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm prepared to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started." Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Hadjar's Big Break Isack Hadjar enjoys his first podium in F1, secured at the Dutch Grand Prix this season. The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers this season. He included an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings. A senior team figure said: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max." Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared". The Lawson Decision For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda. The New Zealander began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits more time. The Japanese driver, in contrast, loses his place after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship. These announcements mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.