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Red Bull has announced significant changes for the 2026 Grand Prix year, moving up Frenchman Isack Hadjar to its main squad and awarding 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his debut Formula 1 seat.

Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be team-mate to New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team Racing Bulls.

This driver musical chairs means Japan's Yuki Tsunoda losing his seat following a five-year stint.

The New British Hope

Lindblad has been tagged as a rising talent by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.

Regarding the team's junior academy, a key advisor noted last year that Lindblad "appears very talented", highlighting his "pure speed".

Red Bull has been working for some time 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", commenting: "2026 will be a huge step, and I know there's a lot to learn, but I'm eager to work closely with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."

Lindblad has taken a couple of victories in F2 so far this season and is P6 in the championship ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

A Major Opportunity for Hadjar

The Frenchman's debut season began on a low note when he crashed during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, from that point, he has been one of the stand-out rookies of the year.

He included an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the championship.

The team principal commented: "Isack has shown great maturity and proved to be a quick learner. Crucially, 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 incredible opportunity" and said he felt "prepared".

Lawson Retains His Seat

For the seat at the junior team, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.

Lawson started 2025 with the senior squad but was demoted after just two races. However, he has found his form at the junior outfit with some strong performances, persuading Red Bull he deserves more time.

Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His highest finish is a sixth place, and he has accumulated a minor percentage of the team's constructors' championship.

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