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The Red Bull team has announced significant changes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.

Lindblad, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the sister squad Racing Bulls.

These changes results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.

A Star in the Making

The youngster was identified as a prodigy by Red Bull since he was 12 years old.

Talking about the team's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "raw pace".

The team prepared a programme for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential F1 debut in 2026, featuring appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.

The rookie said it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents 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 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 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Hadjar's Big Break

The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the stand-out rookies of the year.

His performances featured an outstanding podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.

A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can excel next to Max."

Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "up for the challenge".

Lawson Retains His Seat

For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.

The New Zealander started 2025 with the senior squad but was moved back early in the year. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season.

The Japanese driver, meanwhile, loses his place after a disappointing season. His best result is a P6, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.

These announcements mean that there remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.