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The Austrian squad has confirmed a new line-up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.

The young driver, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.

This reshuffling sees Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive following a five-year stint.

A Star in the Making

Lindblad has been identified as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.

Regarding the team's junior academy, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "seems extremely gifted", highlighting his "raw pace".

Red Bull prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.

The rookie said it was a "dream come true", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and step up. I am incredibly excited to get started."

Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.

The Frenchman's Chance

The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive newcomers of the year.

His performances featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the championship.

The team principal said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and proved to be a fast adapter. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max."

The promoted driver called it "a fantastic step" and said he felt "up for the challenge".

Lawson Retains His Seat

To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.

Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.

The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total.

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.