🔗 Share this article Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Line-Up: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets Formula 1 Seat. French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is 10th in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the Formula 2 championship. The Austrian squad has announced a new line-up for the 2026 F1 campaign, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat. Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls. These changes means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint. The New British Hope The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season. The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old. Talking about the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", praising his "raw pace". Red Bull has been working since last year to ready 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", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started." Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi. The Frenchman's Chance The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Zandvoort race in August. The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. But, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies this season. He included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings. The team principal commented: "Isack has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max." The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "ready". Tsunoda's Exit For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda. Lawson began the season with the main team 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, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship. These announcements mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull programme for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.