French driver Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia currently sitting 10th in the standings. British teen Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship.
The Austrian squad has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.
The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.
This driver musical chairs sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid after five seasons.
The New British Hope
The British teen drove first practice for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix in the current season.
The youngster was marked out as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Talking about the company's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "raw pace".
Red Bull has been working since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including runs in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.
The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings 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 began on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the stand-out rookies of the year.
He featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.
A senior team figure said: "Hadjar 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 thrive next to Max."
The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared".
Lawson Retains His Seat
For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was moved back after just two races. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, convincing Red Bull he merits more time.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.
These announcements confirm that there remains no spot on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.
