Red Bull Confirms 2026 Driver Lineup: Hadjar Joins Verstappen

Red Bull has officially announced its driver lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season, confirming that youngster Isack Hadjar will join Max Verstappen in the senior team. This move sees Yuki Tsunoda's five-year tenure as a Red Bull-backed F1 driver come to an end, as he transitions into a reserve role.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's decision to promote Isack Hadjar signals a clear commitment to its junior driver program and a bold strategy for the future. Placing a young, promising talent alongside a three-time world champion like Max Verstappen is a high-stakes gamble that could either solidify Red Bull's long-term dominance or expose a new driver to immense pressure. This also marks a significant shift, ending Yuki Tsunoda's main driving role after years of development, highlighting the ruthless competitive nature of F1.

The Details:

• Isack Hadjar's Ascent: The 20-year-old French driver will step up to the main Red Bull team in 2026, partnering Max Verstappen. This follows his impressive rookie year in Formula 1 with Racing Bulls in 2025, which included a podium finish at Zandvoort.
• Tsunoda's New Role: Yuki Tsunoda will transition to a test and reserve driver position for Red Bull. Team Principal Laurent Mekies praised Tsunoda's development, stating he has become a 'complete racing driver' with an 'infectious personality.'
• Racing Bulls Lineup: The sister team, Racing Bulls, will feature Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad as its drivers for 2026. Lindblad, currently sixth in the Formula 2 standings, has impressed Red Bull management, including Helmut Marko, during free practice sessions at Silverstone and Mexico.
  • Lindblad is scheduled to participate in his third official Formula 1 session at the Abu Dhabi season finale, driving Tsunoda's RB21 during the weekend's opening practice.
• Hadjar's Track Record: Hadjar joined the Red Bull Junior Program in 2022, finishing fourth in Formula 3 before becoming a title contender in Formula 2. His quick adaptation and strong performances in F1 during 2025 solidified his promotion.

Between the lines:

Isack Hadjar faces one of the toughest challenges in F1: being Max Verstappen's teammate. Since Daniel Ricciardo's departure in 2018, drivers like Gasly, Albon, Perez, Lawson, and most recently Tsunoda have all struggled to consistently match Verstappen's pace and performance within the same team. Hadjar expresses confidence, stating, "I'm happy and proud that the team sees it the same way. I can't wait to learn from Max." Team Principal Laurent Mekies highlighted Hadjar's speed and maturity, believing he can "flourish alongside Max and deliver magic."

What's next:

This driver announcement sets the stage for significant anticipation as Red Bull continues its long-term planning for the new engine regulations in 2026. All eyes will be on Isack Hadjar's performance during the 2025 season with Racing Bulls as he prepares for his formidable challenge alongside Verstappen. The development of Arvid Lindblad in Formula 2 and his integration into the Racing Bulls team will also be closely watched as Red Bull's talent pipeline continues to churn.