British prodigy Arvid Lindblad will replace Isack Hadjar in Racing Bulls 2026 F1 driver line-up as Liam Lawson retains his seat, the team has officially confirmed.
The announcement comes on the heels of Hadjar’s promotion to the senior Red Bull team alongside Max Verstappen, effectively replacing Yuki Tsunoda and reshaping the entire RB family hierarchy just days before the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
This marks a significant milestone in Lindblad’s meteoric rise through the Red Bull Junior programme, where the 18-year-old has demonstrated exceptional speed and maturity well beyond his years.
Lindblad who is currently sitting sixth in the Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship in his rookie season, will partner Liam Lawson, forming a youthful yet dynamic lineup as Racing Bulls enters a new regulatory era featuring overhauled power units and chassis designs.
Lindblad’s path to the seat has been nothing short of remarkable, beginning his karting career at the tender age of five and rapidly ascending through the ranks under the watchful eye of Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko.
The British driver has secured four podium finishes in his debut Formula 2 campaign with Prema Racing, including two commanding victories and a pole position, showcasing his ability to adapt to high-pressure and deliver consistent results on diverse track layouts.
Lindblad also previously drove in two Free Practice 1 sessions for Red Bull Racing this year, at his home race weekend at Silverstone and most recently in Mexico where he finished as the sixth-fastest driver.
The remarkable performance validated Red Bull’s decision to accelerate his progression, bypassing extended stays in junior formulae.
“I’d like to thank everyone at VCARB for the opportunity,” said Lindblad. “Since I started this journey at five years old, it was always my goal to be in Formula 1 so it’s a proud moment to take this step, who has contested two practice sessions this year for Red Bull.
“I’m extremely grateful to the Red Bull Junior Programme and my personal team for their guidance, mentorship and belief; none of this would have been possible without their support.
“F1 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, it’s going to be an exciting year.”
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Meanwhile, Lawson who navigated a turbulent year bouncing between Red Bull and Racing Bulls, retains his seat after demonstrating professionalism and pace, particularly in the latter half of the season where he outshone expectations to help secure his future.
“Liam has shown impressive performance and professionalism throughout this year,” Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said.
“He has excelled when conditions have been at their hardest and we look forward to building on this in 2026, while Arvid’s rapid progression marks him as one of the standout young talents in the sport.
“Together, they form a strong and dynamic Racing Bulls 2026 F1 driver line-up, one that embodies the ambition and youthful spirit of the team as we enter a transformative new era for Formula 1.”
Permane also hailed outgoing driver Hadjar for his outstanding contributions to the team.
He added: “A huge congratulations to Isack. He has delivered a truly outstanding season, demonstrating exceptional race-craft and consistency well beyond his experience.
“He has fully earned his step up to Red Bull Racing and we wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this exciting new challenge in his career – we are proud to have been part of the journey.”
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