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The Red Bull team has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 F1 campaign, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving British teenager Arvid Lindblad his first Formula 1 seat.

The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the sister squad VCARB.

These changes means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda being without a drive after five seasons.

The New British Hope

The youngster was tagged 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 "looks really promising", commending his "pure speed".

Red Bull prepared a programme for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in Grand Prix practice at the British and Mexican races.

Lindblad stated it was a "dream come true", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."

Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings heading into the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The Frenchman's Chance

The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he spun out on the formation lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies this season.

His performances featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings.

The team principal said: "Hadjar has shown great maturity and demonstrated 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".

The Lawson Decision

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

Lawson began the season with the main team but was moved back after just two races. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.

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

These announcements mean that there is also no spot on the Red Bull programme for Ireland's Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 for 2026.