Red Bull and Racing Bulls have officially presented their 2026 Formula 1 driver rosters — and the reshuffle brings several significant shifts across the energy drinks group’s two teams.
Isack Hadjar will make the jump to the senior Red Bull squad next season, pairing up with reigning four-time World Champion Max Verstappen. At the same time, Arvid Lindblad will graduate to F1 with Racing Bulls, joining Liam Lawson for what will be the Briton’s first full campaign at the top level.
Isack Hadjar
F1 Debut 2025 Australian Grand Prix
Current/Last Team Red Bull Racing
Liam Lawson
F1 Debut 2023 Dutch Grand Prix
Current/Last Team Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad
F1 Debut 2026 Australian Grand Prix
Current/Last Team Racing Bulls
These two teams were the final outfits with vacancies for 2026. Even so, Hadjar had long been tipped as the favourite to succeed Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull after an impressive first full season in the championship.
Throughout the current campaign, Hadjar has scored points at 10 Grands Prix, highlighted by a breakthrough maiden podium at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix.
Lindblad, another Red Bull junior, emerged as a credible choice for Racing Bulls after stringing together a series of eye-catching F2 performances and delivering composed FP1 outings in Red Bull machinery at both Silverstone and Mexico City.
That left Tsunoda and Lawson contesting the final Racing Bulls seat — and with Lawson already having replaced Daniel Ricciardo midway through 2024 and performing strongly since, the New Zealander has earned the nod for another full season.
Tsunoda, however, is not departing the organisation; instead, he will serve as reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls in 2026.
Red Bull’s faith in Hadjar is a major milestone after only one complete F1 season
Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, paid tribute to Tsunoda’s seven-year connection with the brand and set out the team’s faith in Hadjar. He said:
“Yuki has raced in Red Bull colours for seven years now and I have had the pleasure of working with him at both Red Bull teams. Through his five seasons so far in Formula One, Yuki has matured into a complete racer, good over a single lap on Saturday and capable of exceptional starts and excellent race craft on Sunday.
“Everyone in the sport would agree it is impossible not to like Yuki, his personality is infectious, and he has become a very special part of the Red Bull family. On behalf of everyone at Red Bull, I thank him for what he has contributed so far and we know he will provide invaluable support to the 2026 projects moving forwards. As for Isack, in his first F1 season, he has displayed great maturity and proved to be a quick learner.
“Most importantly, he has demonstrated the raw speed that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track! 2026 will be a huge challenge for the Team and for Red Bull Ford Powertrains, these are exciting times, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do together.”
Hadjar embraces his chance at the top tier
Hadjar expressed his appreciation for the trust Red Bull has placed in him:
“I’m so grateful to Oracle Red Bull Racing for giving me the opportunity and trust to race at the highest level of Formula One. After all the hard work I have put in since joining the Junior Team, it’s such a great reward. I’ve had many ups and downs throughout my career, and they kept believing and pushing me.
“This year with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has been absolutely amazing, I’ve learnt a lot and secured a maiden podium. I feel I’m much better as a racing driver and a person, due to the Team‘s support and preparation. I feel ready to go to Oracle Red Bull Racing and I am happy and proud they feel the same. It’s an awesome move, to work with the best and learn from Max is something I can’t wait for.“
Racing Bulls welcome Lindblad while committing to Lawson for another season
Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane praised both the departing and incoming drivers, making clear why the team is placing its confidence in a youthful pairing:
“Firstly, 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.
“Liam has shown impressive performance and professionalism throughout this year, 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 pairing, one that embodies the ambition and youthful spirit of VCARB as we enter a transformative new era for Formula 1.”
Lindblad, meanwhile, acknowledged the significance of his own breakthrough moment:
“I’d like to thank everyone at VCARB for the opportunity. 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.
“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. 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!”
Lawson also shared his enthusiasm at extending his time with Racing Bulls:
“I’m really looking forward to racing with VCARB in 2026. It’s an opportunity I’ll continue to be grateful for as we enter a year of change in F1. I’m ready to get to work with the team as we prepare for the challenging season ahead. It’s going to be an exciting year and I can’t wait to kick it off with my first pre-season with the team.”
The 2026 grid is now set
With Cadillac joining the championship and expanding the field to 11 teams, the grid for the major rules reset in 2026 is officially complete.
But before attention turns to next season, Formula 1 still has one final showdown to settle: a three-way battle for the Drivers’ World Championship reaches its climax in Abu Dhabi this weekend, rounding off what has been one of the most captivating campaigns in recent years.
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