F1 2026: Isack Hadjar joins Max Verstappen at Red Bull; Arvid Lindblad set for Racing Bulls debut
Isack Hadjar is promoted internally by Red Bull for the 2026 season, and 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad makes his full-time Formula 1 debut with Racing Bulls as Yuki Tsunoda takes up a reserve role
Red Bull & Racing Bulls Reveal 2026 Driver Line-ups
Isack Hadjar’s confirmation as Max Verstappen’s teammate at Oracle Red Bull Racing for the 2026 F1 season has marked a major milestone in the young driver’s rapid rise. Meanwhile, teenage sensation Arvid Lindblad — another standout from the Red Bull Junior programme — will take his first steps in F1 next year with Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson.
Hadjar’s promotion comes off the back of a great rookie season with Racing Bulls, headed by a breakthrough podium in the Dutch Grand Prix and a succession of solid performances that impressed the senior team management. Meanwhile, Lindblad’s elevation to the top category crowns an accelerated rise up the junior divisions, where he quickly proved his potential with consistent topflight displays.
This reshuffle paves the way for a significant change within the Red Bull driver ecosystem, as Yuki Tsunoda makes his transition to test and reserve driver for the 2026 season. Both teams regard the moves as strategic investments in their young talent pool as they head into a new phase of Formula 1 and imminent regulation changes.
