🔗 Share this article Red Bull Reveals Significant 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Lindblad Gets F1 Drive. French driver Hadjar (left) started his career at the season opener and is 10th in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) holds sixth place in the F2 championship. The Red Bull team has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, elevating Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding British teenager Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive. Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the junior outfit VCARB. This driver musical chairs means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid following a five-year stint. Who is Arvid Lindblad? The British teen drove FP1 for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix this year. The youngster was marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old. Talking about the company's young driver programme, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", praising his "raw pace". The team has had a plan since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at Silverstone and Mexico City. The rookie said it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started." Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the championship heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Hadjar's Big Break Isack Hadjar celebrates his first podium in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix this season. Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he crashed on the formation lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies this season. He included an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings. The team principal commented: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and proved 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 thrive alongside Max." The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "ready". The Lawson Decision To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda. The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits more time. The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a P6, and he has scored a small fraction 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 next season.