Red Bull Revamps F1 Roster: Hadjar Promoted, Lindblad Secures Debut in 2026 Shake-Up

Formula 1 is set for a significant shake-up in 2026 as Red Bull Racing prepares to elevate Frenchman Isack Hadjar to their senior team, while 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad will make his Grand Prix debut with sister team Racing Bulls. These changes will see Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda depart the grid after five seasons.

Hadjar, 21, will join four-time world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. His promotion follows an impressive rookie season with Racing Bulls, highlighted by a remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies commended Hadjar, stating he “has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner,” adding, “Most importantly, he has demonstrated the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport.” Mekies expressed confidence that Hadjar “can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track.” Hadjar himself described his move as “an awesome move” and affirmed that he felt “ready.”

Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will partner New Zealander Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls. This makes Lindblad one of six British drivers expected on the grid next year. Lindblad expressed his excitement for the future, stating, “2026 will be a big challenge and I know there’s a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can’t wait to get started.”

Millenium TV has learned that Red Bull has long viewed Lindblad as a potential future star, identifying his talent from the age of 12. Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko previously described Lindblad as “really promising,” commending his “pure speed.” Marko recounted an exceptional Formula 3 race at Silverstone in 2024 where Lindblad “overtook, in one lap, I don’t know, 10 or 14 other drivers,” winning from the back in challenging wet-dry conditions. He further reminisced about meeting a 12-year-old Lindblad in Portimao, observing how the young driver “was leading the conversation,” demonstrating “a clear vision and a clear way how to achieve it.” Lindblad has been actively prepared for an F1 debut, having completed two practice sessions this year at the British and Mexico City Grands Prix, and has secured two victories in F2 this season, currently sitting sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.

While Hadjar’s F1 career began with a challenging spin at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, he has since emerged as one of the standout rookies. He holds an average grid position of 10th and has outperformed his current teammate Liam Lawson in qualifying 22 times to five, with an average advantage of 0.186 seconds. Hadjar currently ranks 10th in the drivers’ championship. However, he faces a formidable challenge against Max Verstappen, who has consistently outperformed his teammates since 2018.

Liam Lawson will continue with Racing Bulls for his second full season. Lawson, who temporarily moved to the junior team earlier in the season, has demonstrated strong performances, including a fifth-place finish in Azerbaijan and a sixth in Austria, convincing Red Bull to retain him.

Conversely, Yuki Tsunoda will lose his spot on the F1 grid. The 25-year-old’s performance this season, particularly his significant average deficit of 0.644 seconds to Verstappen and scoring only 7% of Red Bull’s constructors’ championship points, led to his removal. He out-qualified Verstappen only once during a sprint session this season.

In other news regarding Red Bull’s driver development program, Ireland’s Alex Dunne will not be joining their ranks. Despite interest from Helmut Marko, other senior members within Red Bull did not approve the move. Dunne is expected to continue in F2 next season and is reportedly in discussions with Alpine for their driver development program.