Red Bull Taps Isack Hadjar to Partner Verstappen in 2026, as Arvid Lindblad Joins F1 Grid with Racing Bulls
Red Bull’s 2026 Formula 1 lineup is officially set-and it comes with a bold shakeup. Isack Hadjar, the rising French talent, is stepping up to the big leagues as Max Verstappen’s new teammate at Red Bull Racing, replacing Yuki Tsunoda. Meanwhile, 18-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad will make his F1 debut with Racing Bulls, partnering with Liam Lawson.
Tsunoda, after a challenging season, will remain in the Red Bull family as a reserve and test driver.
Hadjar’s promotion isn’t just a reward-it’s a statement. After an impressive rookie campaign with Racing Bulls, highlighted by a standout podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, the 21-year-old has earned his shot at one of the most scrutinized seats in motorsport. He’ll now line up alongside Verstappen, who’s chasing a fifth straight world title this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
“I'm so grateful to Oracle Red Bull Racing for giving me the opportunity and trust to race at the highest level,” Hadjar said. “It’s been a journey with plenty of ups and downs, but they kept believing in me.”
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised Hadjar’s growth, calling out his maturity, adaptability, and-most importantly-his raw speed. “We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track,” Mekies said.
The Toughest Job in F1?
Hadjar’s next challenge? Taking on what many insiders call the “hardest seat” in Formula 1.
Since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, Verstappen has cycled through five teammates-each struggling to match the reigning champ’s relentless pace. That list includes Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson, and most recently, Yuki Tsunoda.
Tsunoda, despite his six seasons of F1 experience, couldn’t quite get traction in 2025. Since replacing Lawson after just two races, he’s scored points in only seven of his 21 starts, with a best finish of sixth in Azerbaijan.
He’s currently 15th in the championship standings-behind both Racing Bulls drivers-and trails Verstappen by a staggering 366 points. His lone qualifying win over Verstappen came in the Qatar Sprint.
Hadjar, on the other hand, has been one of the season’s breakout stories. After a rocky debut in Australia, where he spun out on the formation lap in the wet, he bounced back quickly.
With 10 points finishes and a memorable third-place podium at Zandvoort, he’s currently 10th in the championship. That Zandvoort drive marked Racing Bulls’ first podium since 2021 and solidified Hadjar’s reputation as a rising star.
“This year with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has been absolutely amazing,” Hadjar said. “I’ve learned so much and grown as both a driver and a person.
I feel ready to make the step to Red Bull and work with the best. Learning from Max is something I can’t wait for.”
Hadjar’s timing might be ideal. With sweeping new technical regulations coming in 2026-including a major overhaul of chassis and engine specs-he’ll be entering a field that’s likely to experience a shake-up. Red Bull will also debut their first in-house power unit, developed in partnership with Ford, adding another layer of intrigue to next season’s competitive landscape.
Lindblad’s Fast-Track to F1
While Hadjar takes the next step in his journey, Arvid Lindblad is just getting started. The 18-year-old Brit will join Racing Bulls in 2026, becoming the youngest British driver ever to start an F1 race. Born in Surrey to a Swedish father and Indian mother, Lindblad has been on Red Bull’s radar since he joined their junior program at age 13.
His rise through the ranks has been rapid. After a decorated karting career, Lindblad made waves in single-seaters, winning the Macau Formula 4 race in 2023 and the Formula Regional Oceania Championship earlier this year.
He jumped straight from F3 to F2 in 2025, becoming the youngest winner in F2 history with a Sprint race victory in Saudi Arabia at just 17. He added a Feature race win in Spain and sits sixth in the standings heading into the final round in Abu Dhabi.
Despite the FIA’s minimum age requirement of 18 for an F1 superlicence, Red Bull successfully secured an exemption, allowing Lindblad to make his Friday practice debut at Silverstone in July. He later impressed again in Mexico, where he posted the sixth-fastest time during FP1-quicker than Tsunoda in the same car.
Now, he’s officially on the 2026 grid.
“Since I started this journey at five years old, it was always my goal to be in Formula 1,” Lindblad said. “I’m extremely grateful to the Red Bull junior program and my personal team for their guidance and belief. 2026 will be a big challenge, but I’m ready to rise to it.”
Lindblad will join a Racing Bulls team that’s quickly becoming a proving ground for Red Bull’s next generation. With Lawson returning to the squad and Hadjar moving up, the team has clearly embraced its role as a launchpad for future stars.
Looking Ahead
With the 2026 grid now officially locked in, the stage is set for one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory. Red Bull’s decision to promote Hadjar signals a continued commitment to developing in-house talent, even as Verstappen continues to dominate. And with Lindblad stepping into the spotlight, the youth movement in F1 is very much alive.
The only thing left now? The season finale in Abu Dhabi-and then, the countdown to 2026 begins.