🔗 Share this article Red Bull Announces Major 2026 Driver Seats: Hadjar Promoted, 18-Year-Old Arvid Lindblad Secures Grand Prix Debut. French driver Hadjar (left) made his debut in Australia and is tenth in the standings. Arvid Lindblad (right) is sixth in the F2 standings. The Austrian squad has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and giving 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his maiden Formula 1 seat. The young driver, who comes from a mixed Swedish-Indian background, will be the partner of Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB. This reshuffling means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat post a half-decade in F1. Who is Arvid Lindblad? Arvid Lindblad took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year. The youngster was identified as a rising talent by Red Bull since he was 12 years old. Discussing the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "pure speed". Red Bull has had a plan for some time to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City. The rookie said it was a "dream come true", commenting: "2026 will be a massive test, and I know there's much to understand, but I'm prepared to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can't wait to get started." Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 this year and is sixth in the standings ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi. The Frenchman's Chance The French driver enjoys his maiden top-three finish in F1, achieved at the Dutch Grand Prix in August. The Frenchman's debut season started in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the most impressive rookies of the year. He featured an excellent podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies in tenth place in the drivers' standings. The team principal said: "Hadjar has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the primary necessity in this sport. We believe he can excel alongside Max." Hadjar described it "an awesome move" and said he felt "ready". Lawson Retains His Seat To partner Lindblad at the junior team, Red Bull have preferred Lawson instead of Tsunoda. Lawson began the season with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. He has settled back in at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves another season. The Japanese driver, meanwhile, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored a minor percentage of the team's points total. These announcements confirm that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will continue in F2 for 2026.