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Red Bull has confirmed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Grand Prix year, elevating French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.

Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, is set to become team-mate to Kiwi driver Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.

This driver musical chairs results in Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.

The New British Hope

The youngster was tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.

Regarding the company's junior academy, a key advisor previously said that Lindblad "appears very talented", praising his "pure speed".

The team prepared a programme since last year to ready Lindblad for his potential Grand Prix bow in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at the British and Mexican races.

The rookie said it was a "proud moment", adding: "Next season represents a huge step, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to work closely with the team and step up. I can't wait to get started."

Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is P6 in the standings ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.

A Major Opportunity for Hadjar

Hadjar's F1 career began in difficult fashion when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has emerged as one of the stand-out newcomers of the year.

His performances included an remarkable podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he lies 10th in the drivers' standings.

A senior team figure commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can thrive next to Max."

The promoted driver called it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".

The Lawson Decision

For the seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson over Tsunoda.

Lawson began the season with the main team but was demoted early in the year. However, he has found his form at Racing Bulls with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he merits more time.

The Japanese driver, in contrast, has been ejected after a difficult season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a small fraction of the team's constructors' championship.

These announcements mean that there is also no place on the Red Bull academy for Irish driver Alex Dunne, who will remain in F2 next season.