Arvid Lindblad will step up to Racing Bulls in Formula 1 next season, becoming the only rookie on the finalized 2026 starting grid.
Confirmation of long-term Red Bull junior Lindblad, alongside Liam Lawson, completes the driver line-up for next season.
Advertisement
Current Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar will depart the team to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing.
“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,” said Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane.
Lindblad the only newbie
Formula 1’s 2025 grid featured several new faces, most notably Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, and naturally the large influx of rookies meant a repeat for 2026 was improbable.
Advertisement
The majority of teams have opted for consistency owing to the overhaul of regulations, but Racing Bulls have made the much-anticipated move by promoting young gun Lindblad.
Arvid Lindblad. Clive Rose – Getty Images
Lindblad, a Briton of Swedish and Indian heritage, will be the youngest driver on the 2026 grid and is set to be the fourth-youngest driver in history when he debuts in Melbourne.
The 18-year-old has been part of Red Bull’s driver scheme since 2021, the year in which he famously met Lando Norris—then already in Formula 1—during a promotional karting event and told his compatriot to “remember me, I’ll see you in five years.”
Lindblad has ramped up his Formula 1 involvement this season, taking part in private tests and a couple of practice sessions, and has become more integrated within Racing Bulls.
Advertisement
His on-track results across the past couple of years have been up and down. A title challenge in Formula 3 in 2024 wilted, leaving him in fourth place, while as a rookie in Formula 2 he has been inconsistent—albeit with the championship increasingly hard to read and teams more so focusing on Formula 1 outings. He enters the final round sixth in the championship.
“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,” Lindblad said.
“I’m extremely grateful to the Red Bull Junior [Team] 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.”
Lawson gets another chance
Lawson has had a rollercoaster career already despite 2025 still being only his first full season in Formula 1, after partial campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
Advertisement
Lawson’s Red Bull Racing spell lasted just two disastrous grands prix this year before he was shuffled back to Racing Bulls for the remainder of the campaign.
Liam Lawson. Rudy Carezzevoli – Getty Images
Lawson, who repeatedly asserted that his confidence did not take a blow, took a while to find his groove in Formula 1’s congested midfield.
A smattering of points finishes have since followed, peaking with an excellent fifth in Azerbaijan, from a standout third on the grid.
After his chastening two-event stint Lawson was never in contention to return to the senior team, but remaining into 2026 at least gives the New Zealander a stay of execution.
Advertisement
“It’s an opportunity I’ll continue to be grateful for as we enter a year of change in F1,” Lawson said.
“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.”
Stability the key
The changes within Red Bull and Racing Bulls will be the only differences within the teams on the grid at the end of 2025 and the start of 2026.
After the swathe of alterations last season, all of the other eight teams will retain their current drivers.
The new-for-2026 Cadillac team has also adopted a conservative approach after recruiting veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez for its inaugural season in Formula 1.