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Red Bull has announced significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its senior team and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden F1 drive.

Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.

This driver musical chairs means Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat after five seasons.

The New British Hope

The youngster was marked out as a prodigy by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.

Regarding the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure noted last year that Lindblad "looks really promising", highlighting his "pure speed".

Red Bull has had a plan since last year to prepare Lindblad for his likely Grand Prix bow in 2026, including appearances in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.

The rookie said it was a "huge honour", adding: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and meet the challenge. I am incredibly excited to get started."

He has won a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is sixth in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.

The Frenchman's Chance

Hadjar's F1 career started on a low note when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the most impressive rookies this season.

He featured an outstanding top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits in tenth place in the drivers' standings.

A senior team figure said: "Isack has displayed impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."

The promoted driver called it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready".

The Lawson Decision

For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda.

The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. However, he has settled back in at the junior outfit with notable results, convincing Red Bull he deserves more time.

The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected 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 remains no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.