Red Bull F1’s 2026 driver decision, Arvid Lindblad rise and new Max Verstappen team-mate – The Mirror
Max Verstappen has a new Formula 1 team-mate after Red Bull confirmed Yuki Tsunoda has been dropped from the grid entirely while Britain’s Arvid Lindblad gets his first seat
Everything you need to know about Red Bull’s 2026 F1 driver announcement with Yuki Tsunoda axed from the grid and British teenager Arvid Lindblad getting his first race seat
Max Verstappen gets a new team-mate: After an impressive rookie season, Isack Hadjar has been given the nod to step up to the main Red Bull team next year. The Frenchman only turned 21 in September and will look to continue his remarkable rise in one of F1’s toughest seats.
Arvid Lindblad’s Formula 1 debut: Aged just 18, Arvid Lindblad will race in F1 next year for junior team Racing Bulls. “It’s a proud moment to take this step,” the teenager beamed.
A huge British contingent: Lindblad’s promotion means six of the 22 drivers who will start the 2026 season are British – Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, George Russell, Alex Albon, Oliver Bearman and, now, Lindblad. Of those, Albon is the only one who does not race under the Union Flag, having opted to drive for Thailand, his mother’s homeland.
A reprieve for Liam Lawson: The New Zealander had a rough start to the year when he was dropped by the top Red Bull team just two rounds into the season. That shook his confidence but he has recovered well enough to have been retained by Racing Bulls for the start of next year.
Farewell to Yuki Tsunoda: That means there was no room at either of Red Bull’s teams for Tsunoda, who will make his 111th and, for now, final F1 race start in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Tsunoda’s new role: The Japanese driver has not cut ties with Red Bull completely, though. It has been confirmed that Tsunoda will stay on as test and reserve driver for the main team, while he will also assum reserve duties for Racing Bulls whenever Ayumu Iwasa is unavailable.
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said: “We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track. 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. He will provide invaluable support to the 2026 projects moving forwards.”
