Isack Hadjar (left) started his career in Australia and is 10th in the championship. British teen Lindblad (right) is sixth in the Formula 2 championship.
Red Bull has revealed a major reshuffle for the 2026 Formula 1 season, promoting French driver Isack Hadjar to its main squad and handing 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad his first F1 drive.
Lindblad, who has a Swedish father and a mother of Indian descent, will be the partner of New Zealander Liam Lawson at the second team VCARB.
These changes sees Japan's Yuki Tsunoda exiting the grid post a half-decade in F1.
The British teen took part in FP1 for the Silverstone and Mexican Grands Prix this year.
Lindblad has been identified as a potential future star by Red Bull from the age of 12 years old.
Regarding the company's young driver programme, a senior Red Bull figure previously said that Lindblad "looks really promising", commending his "pure speed".
The team has been working for some time to prepare Lindblad for his likely F1 debut in 2026, including runs in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico City.
Lindblad stated it was a "proud moment", commenting: "2026 will be a big challenge, and I know there's plenty to absorb, but I'm ready to collaborate with the team and rise to it. I am incredibly excited to get started."
Lindblad has taken two races in F2 this year and is sixth in the championship ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi.
The French driver celebrates his first podium in F1, secured at the Zandvoort race this season.
The Frenchman's debut season began in difficult fashion when he spun out during the warm-up lap of the first Australian Grand Prix. However, since then, he has been one of the most impressive newcomers this season.
His performances featured an remarkable top-three result at the Dutch Grand Prix, and he sits 10th in the drivers' standings.
The team principal said: "Isack has shown impressive growth and demonstrated to be a quick learner. Most importantly, he has the innate pace that is the number one requirement in this sport. We believe he can succeed next to Max."
Hadjar described it "an incredible opportunity" and said he felt "up for the challenge".
To partner Lindblad at Racing Bulls, Red Bull have opted for Lawson instead of Tsunoda.
The New Zealander began the season with the senior squad but was demoted early in the year. He has found his form at Racing Bulls with notable results, persuading Red Bull he merits another season.
Tsunoda, in contrast, has been ejected after a disappointing season. His best result is a sixth place, and he has scored 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 continue in F2 for 2026.
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