Isack Hadjar has been announced to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull in F1 2026, as Liam Lawson is retained by Visa Cash App RB alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Ahead of the final race of 2025 F1 season, Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB announced its driver line-up for 2026 season, which completed the final puzzle of the grid. As expected, Hadjar got the nod to join the senior team alongside Verstappen, becoming his seventh teammate.
The Frenchman has had a solid rookie F1 season at Visa Cash App RB and with the new regulation kicking in, it gives him a good opportunity to start afresh at the senior Red Bull team and hope to be close to Verstappen, which others haven’t been able to do as much.
His seat at Visa Cash App RB will be taken up by F2 graduate Lindblad after impressive showing in feeder series. He finished fourth in his rookie F3 season in 2024 and graduated to F2 in 2025. It hasn’t been the best of seasons being seventh with one round remaining, but he has impressed in F1 tests.
For long, Lindblad has been undertaking testing with Red Bull which has pushed them to put him at Visa Cash App RB alongside Lawson, who will take up the leader role in the sister F1 team. The Kiwi will start his second full season and hope to do what Hadjar has managed to do in 2025.
This leaves Yuki Tsunoda with no drive in 2026, but he has moved to test and reserve role for next season. It is also unclear what happens of Honda junior Ayumu Iwasa, who took the Super Formula title few weeks ago.
“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,” said Hadjar. “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.”
Team boss Laurent Mekies stated: “Yuki has raced in Red Bull colours for seven years now and I have had the pleasure of working with him at both Red Bull teams. Through his five seasons so far in Formula One, Yuki has matured into a complete racer, good over a single lap on Saturday and capable of exceptional starts and excellent race craft on Sunday. 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.
“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.”
Over at VCARB, Lawson said: “I’m really looking forward to racing with VCARB in 2026. It’s an opportunity I’ll continue to be grateful for as we enter a year of change in F1. 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.”
Lindblad noted: “I’d like to thank everyone at VCARB for the opportunity. Since I started this journey at five years old, it was always my goal to be in Formula One 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!”
And Permane added: “Firstly, a huge congratulations to Isack. He has delivered a truly outstanding season, demonstrating exceptional race-craft and consistency well beyond his experience. He has fully earned his step up to Red Bull Racing and we wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this exciting new challenge in his career – we are proud to have been part of the journey.
“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. 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 One.”
