Hadjar Promoted, Lindblad Gets F1 Seat at 18 for 2026

Hadjar Promoted, Lindblad Gets F1 Drive at 18 for 2026 Season

Red Bull Racing will promote Isack Hadjar to the senior Formula 1 team in 2026, while 18-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad will make his debut for Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s second team, alongside Liam Lawson.

Tsunoda Out, Lindblad In

The changes come at the expense of Yuki Tsunoda, who loses his F1 seat after five seasons on the grid. Lindblad – born in Surrey, with Swedish and Indian heritage – becomes the sixth British driver on the 2026 grid, joining Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Lando Norris, Oliver Bearman, and Alex Albon (who races under the Thai flag).

Lindblad said:

“2026 will be a big challenge, but I’m ready to rise to it. I can’t wait to get started.”

Who is Arvid Lindblad?

Red Bull has tracked Lindblad’s career since he was 12 years old. Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has hailed his “pure speed”, recalling a legendary win at Silverstone where he overtook more than 10 cars in one lap under mixed weather conditions.

Lindblad has won two F2 races this season and sits sixth in the standings going into the final round in Abu Dhabi. He’s already driven F1 machinery in practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.

Hadjar Steps Up After Breakout Rookie Year

Arvid Lindblad drove the Red Bull in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year

21-year-old Frenchman Hadjar, who overcame a difficult F1 debut in Australia, has been impressive at Racing Bulls, outqualifying teammate Lawson 22-5 with an average advantage of 0.186 seconds. His standout moment was a podium finish at the Dutch GP.

Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s maturity and raw pace:

“We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce magic on track.”

End of the Road for Tsunoda?

Tsunoda’s promotion hopes were dashed after a disappointing stint alongside Verstappen, with only one sprint race out-qualifying and a massive 0.644-second qualifying deficit on average. He has scored only 7% of Red Bull’s constructors’ points.

Lawson Earns Another Chance

After a brief demotion from Red Bull’s main team in early 2025, Liam Lawson bounced back with solid Racing Bulls performances – fifth in Baku and sixth in Austria – earning himself a second full-season shot in 2026.

No Place for Alex Dunne

Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, at the Dutch Grand Prix on 31 August

Ireland’s Alex Dunne was not included in Red Bull’s 2026 plans. Despite interest from advisor Marko, the wider team declined to onboard him. Dunne is in talks with Alpine and will remain in F2 with Rodin.

Looking Ahead

• Max Verstappen remains the benchmark at Red Bull, chasing the 2026 title amid fierce competition from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

• F1 2026 could mark the beginning of a new Red Bull era with youthful energy from Hadjar and Lindblad.