Red Bull and Racing Bulls confirm driver line-ups for 2026 to complete grid
2nd December 2025The final seats in Formula 1 are now sealed for the upcoming 2026 grid as both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls announce their driver line-ups.
Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool
On Tuesday, the two teams from the Red Bull stable, RB and Red Bull, confirmed their completed driver line-ups ahead of the F1 season finale, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.
The announcement confirms Isack Hadjar will partner Max Verstappen at the senior squad, in place of outgoing driver Yuki Tsunoda. Whilst at the sister team, Liam Lawson will mentor F1 rookie Arvid Lindblad, who will replace the promoted Hadjar.
Upon his promotion to the top squad, 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.”
It means Lindblad will be the 20th Red Bull-backed driver to step up to the top level of single-seater motorsports, following recent promotions of Tsunoda, Lawson and Hadjar.
“I’d like to thank everyone at VCARB for the opportunity,” commented Lindblad. “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!”
As such, it now leaves Tsunoda without a seat for the 2026 season, as the remaining seats are now filled.
The new season will contain 22 drivers for the upcoming season as Cadillac prepares to join the grid – opting for Valtteri Bottas and former Red Bull driver, Sergio Perez.
However, Red Bull’s Team Principal has praised Tsunoda ahead of his final F1 race this season, stating ‘his personality is infectious,’ and has become a special part of the Red Bull family. He said:
“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.”
Read more Formula 1 here:
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- Oscar Piastri takes pole position pipping Lando Norris ahead of Qatar Grand Prix
- Oscar Piastri wins Qatar Grand Prix sprint ahead of Norris and Verstappen
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
