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The 2026 Formula 1 roster is finally complete, as both Red Bull and VCARB have finally confirmed their driver pairings for next year.
Isack Hadjar will be joining Max Verstappen at Red Bull after one year in the organization’s sister team, VCARB. Hadjar had a stellar first season in F1, earning his maiden podium with a P3 at the Dutch Grand Prix. With one round left, he has accrued 51 points and sits 10th in the Drivers’ Championship. This makes him the second highest-ranked rookie of the year, behind only Mercedes’s Kimi Antonelli, who is currently seventh in the standings.
On his promotion, Hadjar said, “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.”
Hadjar will be replacing Yuki Tsunoda, who is set to stay with both teams as a reserve driver.
After starting his fifth season with VCARB this year, Tsunoda was finally given the opportunity to step up into Red Bull during the third round of the 2025 season in Japan. Unfortunately, like many drivers in the second Red Bull seat before him, he was unable to extract satisfactory results from the car, and only contributed 33 of the team’s 426 total points going into the season closer in Abu Dhabi.
Despite this, Tsunoda is a fan favorite driver, and has been praised by both Red Bull and VCARB personnel.
“Everyone in the sport would agree it is impossible not to like Yuki,” said Red Bull team principal, Laurent Mekies, “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.”
As Hadjar prepares to move on from VCARB, current Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad will be getting the promotion from Formula 2 into F1. Lindblad currently drives for Campos Racing, and in his first–and only–season in F2 has secured four total podiums so far, including a sprint win in Saudi Arabia, and feature race win in Barcelona.
“I’d like to thank everyone at VCARB for the opportunity,” said Lindblad. “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!"
Lindblad will be teaming up with Liam Lawson, who joined VCARB in the latter half of the 2024 season in place of Daniel Ricciardo.
“Liam has shown impressive performance and professionalism throughout this year,” said VCARB team principal Alan Permane, “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.”
Indeed, the 2026 F1 season promises to be an exciting year with new teams, team lineup, and regulations. And with the grid for all 11 teams now set, we can look forward to another thrilling year of on-track action.
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