🔗 Share this article Red Bull Confirms Substantial 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, Youngster Lindblad Earns Formula 1 Seat. French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut at the season opener and is tenth in the championship. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings. Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its A-team and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive. The young driver, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB. These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons. The New British Hope The British teen participated in first practice for the British and Mexico City Grands Prix in the current season. Lindblad has been marked out as a potential future star by Red Bull since he was 12 years old. Regarding the team's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "natural quickness". The team prepared a programme for some time to prepare 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 "huge honour", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm eager to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I can't wait to get started." He has won a couple of victories in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Hadjar's Big Break The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, secured 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 first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies this season. His performances featured an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings. A senior team figure said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and demonstrated to be a fast adapter. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive alongside Max." The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "prepared". Lawson Retains His Seat To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda. The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he merits more time. Tsunoda, in contrast, loses his place after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's points total. These announcements confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.