RED BULL ANNOUNCE NEW DRIVER FOR 2026 WITH TSUNODA DROPPED – F1 LATEST

F1 latest news and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix build-up

• Red Bull confirm 2026 line-up with new Max Verstappen teammate announced
• Isack Hadjar will step up alongside four-time world champion
• Yuki Tsunoda replaced after poor season alongside Verstappen
• British-Swedish starlet poised for major opportunity with Racing Bulls

Lindblad fast-tracked to F1

Red Bull have long spoken of the youngster in glowing terms as a face of the future and nothing has swayed their thinking even after a difficult Formula Two season, where he is sixth with a round remaining.

The statement confirming his arrival alongside New Zealander Liam Lawson spoke of his raw speed, maturity and potential.

"Arvid's rapid progression marks him as one of the standout young talents in the sport," said Racing Bulls principal Alan Permane.

Lindblad fast-tracked to F1

Red Bull fast-tracked Max Verstappen into Formula One as a 17-year-old in 2015 and in Arvid Lindblad, confirmed as a Racing Bulls driver on Tuesday, they believe they have another special teenage talent.

The Briton, who also has a Swedish passport and is of Indian heritage on his mother's side, turned 18 on August 8 and will be one of the youngest Formula One drivers of all time when he debuts in Australia next March 8.

Only four-times world champion Verstappen, Canadian Lance Stroll and Italian Kimi Antonelli were younger when they started out.

Formula One's governing body changed the rules after Verstappen was signed at 16 by Toro Rosso, now Racing Bulls, to make sure that the sport's drivers were over 18 before they raced at the highest level.

Even so, they granted Lindblad a super licence as a 17-year-old after the team requested a dispensation.

Max Verstappen is laughing at McLaren – how many warnings do they need?

Comment: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri missed out on victory in Qatar, with Verstappen’s unlikely win taking this unpredictable F1 title race to the finale in Abu Dhabi. For McLaren, it should never have got this nervy.

Max Verstappen is laughing at McLaren F1 – how many more warnings do they need?

How can Lando Norris win the 2025 F1 world championship?

Lando Norris is still in position to win the 2025 F1 world championship despite finishing fourth in the Qatar GP.

It means the 26-year-old Englishman has a 12-point advantage heading into the season-finale in Abu Dhabi next week.

Read more:

How can Lando Norris win the 2025 F1 world championship?

Lindblad seals seat for debut F1 season

British driver Lindblad moves up to F1 after winning two F2 races this season, continuing a rapid rise since he moved up from karting in 2022. He's already had some F1 experience after driving for Red Bull in practice sessions in Britain and in Mexico, when a sixth-place finish showed signs of strong pace.

He'll be one of six British-born drivers on the grid next year, along with Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Oliver Bearman and Alex Albon, who drives under the Thai flag.

Next year 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," Lindblad said.Racing Bulls is the exception by promoting Lindblad as sweeping regulation changes for 2026 have led other teams to trust more experienced drivers.

Eight teams have left their driver lineups unchanged for next year and Cadillac, the new 11th team, has hired Perez and ex-Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas. They have racked up more than 500 F1 race starts between them.

The poisoned chalice?

The role of teammate to four-times world champion Verstappen, who could yet add a fifth title in a row at Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, has been something of a poisoned chalice for a string of hopefuls.

Verstappen, the absolute number one driver, will start 2026 with his fourth different teammate since the last race of 2024.

No teammate has come close to the Dutch driver's relentless form since Mexican Sergio Perez took four podiums in the first five races last season and then suffered a dramatic loss of pace before departing.

Before him Alex Albon, now at Williams, and Pierre Gasly, who moved to Renault-owned Alpine, also struggled to keep up.

Lawson started this season as the incumbent but was replaced by Tsunoda after two races without scoring.

The Japanese has been completely eclipsed by Verstappen, with the champion winning seven races and scoring 396 points while Tsunoda's tally stands at a mere 33.

Summary: Hadjar to replace Tsunoda at Red Bull

Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda in the hot seat as Max Verstappen's Red Bull teammate next season with Arvid Lindblad joining Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, the Formula One teams announced on Tuesday.

Frenchman Hadjar, 21, has made a big impression in his debut season with sister team Racing Bulls including taking his first podium with third place in the Dutch Grand Prix at the end of August.

British-born Lindblad, who also has Swedish nationality and Indian heritage through his mother, moves up from Formula Two to partner New Zealander Lawson and will be the sole rookie on the 2026 grid. Tsunoda's departure leaves Formula One without a Japanese driver on the starting grid. Red Bull said he will remain within the 'family' as test and reserve driver for the first season of a new engine era.

Tsunoda will also serve as Racing Bulls reserve when compatriot Ayu Iwasa, this year's Japanese Super Formula champion, is not available.

What is the driver line-up for 2026?

And the new kids on the block...

CADILLAC

Sergio Perez

Valtteri Bottas

What is the driver line-up for 2026?

HAAS

Esteban Ocon

Ollie Bearman

RACING BULLS

Liam Lawson

Arvid Lindblad

WILLIAMS

Alex Albon

Carlos Sainz

What is the driver line-up for 2026?

MERCEDES

George Russell

Kimi Antonelli

ASTON MARTIN

Fernando Alonso

Lance Stroll

ALPINE

Pierre Gasly

Franco Colapinto

What is the driver line-up for 2026?

McLAREN

Lando Norris

Oscar Piastri

FERRARI

Charles Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton

RED BULL

Max Verstappen

Isack Hadjar

Lawson and Lindblad together at RB

Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane said Liam Lawson, 23, and Lindblad, 18, would be a strong and dynamic pairing.

"He (Lawson) 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," he said.

Who is Arvid Lindblad?

Lindblad has been promoted to an F1 seat at Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, for next season:

Who is Arvid Lindblad? British teen set for F1 after bold prediction to Lando Norris

Lindblad told Norris: 'See you in five years'

“Lando I want you to remember me, I will see you in five years."

That is what Arvid Lindblad told Lando Norris in 2021 when they met at Adria Karting Raceway in Italy. Norris was there to launch his own karting team.

"It was really just like a spur of the moment. I was talking with my mate at the track, and we saw Lando," Lindblad told Sky Sports.

"I said to my mate, 'I'll be racing with him soon in F1' and my friend was like, 'you don't have the guts to tell him' and I wanted to prove him wrong.

"So I went straight up to Lando and he was very kind about it. I said, 'it was nice to meet you and see in five years'. I got inspired by Lewis Hamilton telling Ron Dennis [he would join McLaren] and it was a similar kind of vibe, so it was just my friend egging me on.

"That was at the end of 2021, so hopefully I have a good year in F2 and hopefully I will be in F1 and stick to my word."

Lindblad vows to 'rise' to F1 challenge

"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," Lindblad said.

"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!"

Arvid Lindblad giving Racing Bulls seat

British teenager Arvid Lindblad will take up a seat at RB next season.

The 18-year-old has been part of part of the Red Bull setup since the age of 14 and was granted an FIA super licence aged 17 after a request from the team.

He sits sixth in the F2 standings with one race to go and has impressed when driving the Red Bull in F1 practice sessions at Silverstone and in Mexico.

The cursed seat?

Hadjar is now the latest driver to attempt to cope with the demands of partnering Verstappen.

The Dutchman's debut in 2017 was alongside Daniel Ricciardo and since then Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Perez, Lawson and Tsunoda have all come and gone having been unable to consistently match the dominant four-time world champion.

Hadjar gets his chance

Isack Hadjar will partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull next season.

Frenchman Hadjar, 21, has enjoyed an impressive rookie season with junior team Racing Bulls and sits 10th in the standings ahead of the final race.

He clinched a brilliant podium at the Dutch Grand Prix in August and has consistently outqualified and beaten team-mate Liam Lawson.

Hadjar says he is ready to join Red Bull in 'awesome' move

Isack 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 can 'thrive' beside Verstappen, says Mekies

Team Principal Laurent Mekies on Isack Hadjar: “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.”

Red Bull thank 'complete racer' Tsunoda

Laurent Mekies, CEO and team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, 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.”

Tsunoda relegated to reserve driver role in 2026

Red Bull also confirm that Yuki Tsunoda will be a “test and reserve driver” for 2026.

Confirmed! Isack Hadjar to drive Red Bull next season

Red Bull release a statement which confirms the news: “Oracle Red Bull Racing is pleased to announce that Isack Hadjar will join Max Verstappen to form the Team’s 2026 driver line-up.”

More to follow...

Aston Martin, McLaren to replace drivers in Abu Dhabi

Aston Martin have said Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will be replaced by rookie drivers for FP1 in Abu Dhabi.

Alonso will swap out for British driver Cian Shields while Jak Crawford will replace Stroll for the session.

McLaren will also have a rookie driver in FP1, with Oscar Piastri giving way, most likely for Pato O’Ward.

How can Lando Norris win the 2025 F1 world championship?

It is a normal race weekend in Abu Dhabi. Therefore, Norris will win the world championship if he finishes on the podium at the Yas Marina Circuit.

A minimum third place (15 points) in Abu Dhabi would give Norris an unassailable 27-point lead.

How can Oscar Piastri win the 2025 F1 world championship?

Piastri has a difficult task now. Put simply: he needs to score 17 more points than Norris and five more points than Verstappen to guarantee the title. At a minimum, he must finish in second place or higher to have a chance.

What could this look like in reality? If Piastri wins the grand prix, Norris would have to finish in sixth place or lower and Verstappen in second place or lower.

If Piastri finishes second, he’d need Norris to finish ninth or lower and Verstappen to finish fourth or lower. If Piastri finishes third or lower, he will not win the championship.

How can Max Verstappen win the 2025 F1 world championship?

Norris has a 12-point lead over Verstappen, who is now in second place. Piastri is a further four points back, 16 off his teammate.

It is a normal race weekend in Abu Dhabi. Therefore, Norris will win the world championship if he finishes on the podium at the Yas Marina Circuit.

A minimum third place (15 points) in Abu Dhabi would give Norris an unassailable 27-point lead.

Fourth place (12 points) would give Norris a 24-point lead and, thus, if Verstappen then won the race, the Dutchman would take the title by one point.

Alternatively, put simply, Verstappen needs to score 13 more points than Norris.

F1 standings after Qatar GP as Max Verstappen closes gap on Lando Norris

Lando Norris has seen his lead in the F1 driver’s world championship cut to 12 points after Max Verstappen triumphed in a highly dramatic Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday night.

Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri got their strategy wrong during a safety car period at the start of the race, when they failed to stop and change tyres in what was a mandatory two-stop grand prix.

When Norris eventually went into the pits for a second time, the British driver came back on track in fifth place, though he managed to overtake Kimi Antonelli in the closing stages and finished in fourth.

That means the title will be decided in Abu Dhabi with all three of Norris, Piastri and Verstappen in with a chance of claiming the crown. Norris’s lead is 12 points to Verstappen, with Piastri a further four points behind.

Here’s how the standings look after the Qatar GP

F1 standings after Qatar GP as Max Verstappen closes gap on Lando Norris

Max Verstappen is laughing at McLaren – how many warnings do they need?

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri missed out on victory in Qatar, with Verstappen’s unlikely win taking this unpredictable F1 title race to the finale in Abu Dhabi. For McLaren, it should never have got this nervy.

Kieran Jackson reports:

Max Verstappen is laughing at McLaren F1 – how many more warnings do they need?

Helmut Marko impressed by British teen Arvid Lindblad

Helmut Marko has been among the pack keeping an eye out for Arvid Lindblad. The Red Bull adviser said after the Mexico practice session: “Lindblad was even faster than Yuki with the same programme. Definitely a man for the future.

“It was very clear and he never got excited, he was calm, and the technical feedback had profound influence. It was a very, how should I say, exact definition.”

Arvid Lindblad tipped for jump to F1

British teenager Arvid Lindblad is set to move up from F2 to F1, with his promotion bringing an end to Yuki Tsunoda’s five-year stint in F1.

Lindblad completed his first F1 test at Imola in February and took part in his first F1 session by taking the place of Verstappen in first practice at the Mexican GP in October, raising eyebrows with the sixth-fastest lap of the session.

“It was amazing,” he said afterwards. “I am extremely grateful to everyone at Red Bull for the opportunity. Amazing to get my first official F1 session.

“I think I did decent, I felt comfortable in the car and I think the speed was okay. I think I could definitely go a bit quicker with a few more laps but, considering it was my first time in a car that I’ve only done very limited running in F1, I mean for example this weekend I think it is 13, 14 seconds quicker than F2, so the step is enormous.

“So, all that considered, with the limited prep I’m happy with the job today.”

'What's important is we are in condition to beat Verstappen' - Andrea Stella

McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella continued: “When it comes to the fact that we have two drivers in the quest for the world championship, our philosophy and our approach will not change.

“We will leave both Oscar and Lando the possibility to compete and pursue their aspiration.

“Oscar, from a points point of view, is definitely in condition to win the title.

“We have seen before in the history of Formula 1 that when you have this kind of situation, sometimes it is the third one who actually wins.

“We have seen it in 2007, in 2010, and Oscar is fast. I think he deserves to be able to realise his performance.

“We will let the drivers be in condition to race each other. But above all, what's important for us is that we are in condition to beat Verstappen with one of our two drivers.”

McLaren to have 'further conversations' on team orders ahead of Abu Dhabi

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has said the team will have “further conversations” on how to approach the final Grand Prix of the season, with Max Verstappen just 12 points behind championship leader Lando Norris and the pair and Oscar Piastri all still fighting for the title.

Stella told Racing365: “I think whatever call we make in terms of using the collaboration of our drivers, it will have to follow some of our fundamental principles, which are foundational to our approach.

"We want to be fair to our drivers, we want to race with integrity, and we want to race in a way that doesn't surprise our drivers.

"So, between now and Abu Dhabi, there will be further conversations with Lando and Oscar. We will confirm our racing approach.

"But certainly what I can say is that: If any of the drivers is in condition to pursue the quest to win the title, then we will respect this, and there will be no call which excludes the other driver when the other driver is in condition to win."

Red Bull apologise after Antonelli receives death threats

Red Bull have released a statement in which they “regret” comments which have led to Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli receiving death threats on social media.

In the final laps of Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix, Antonelli made a mistake and veered off track, allowing Lando Norris to move up into fourth place and handing the McLaren driver two valuable points in the title race.

Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase told his driver on team radio: “I am not sure what happened to Antonelli there - it looked like he just pulled over and let Lando through.” Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko also said post-race that it was “so obvious” that Antonelli had “waved” Norris through.

Red Bull admit ‘regret’ over comments after Kimi Antonelli receives death threats

What is the driver line-up for 2026?

McLAREN

Lando Norris

Oscar Piastri

FERRARI

Charles Leclerc

Lewis Hamilton

RED BULL

Max Verstappen

TBC

MERCEDES

George Russell

Kimi Antonelli

ASTON MARTIN

Fernando Alonso

Lance Stroll

ALPINE

Pierre Gasly

Franco Colapinto

HAAS

Esteban Ocon

Ollie Bearman

RACING BULLS

TBC

TBC

WILLIAMS

Alex Albon

Carlos Sainz

SAUBER

Nico Hulkenberg

Gabriel Bortoleto

CADILLAC

Sergio Perez

Valtteri Bottas

NOTE: italics represent new seat

F1 2026 grid: Who are the drivers racing next season?

While numerous teams have long-term agreements with their drivers – such as McLaren, Ferrari and Williams – some teams are yet to confirm their two drivers in the cockpit for 2026.

Max Verstappen confirmed in July he will be staying at Red Bull next year, while Mercedes have now announced contract extensions for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Meanwhile, American-owned Cadillac join the grid next year as the sport’s 11th team and have confirmed the signing of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.

Hadjar 'has the mental strength' to compete with Verstappen - Marko

Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko is among those to have backed Isack Hadjar for promotion. He told Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung in September: “He doesn’t make any mistakes and that’s really surprising for a new driver.

“He improves on every track and is fully involved after a few laps, regardless of whether he has driven there before.

“He certainly has this mental strength to be able to hold his own against Verstappen.”

Who is Arvid Lindblad?

18-year-old Lindblad, who was raised in Surrey, has impressed in Formula 2 this year.

He won the F2 feature race at the Spanish Grand Prix in June. Ahead of the season-finale in Abu Dhabi, he is positioned sixth in the drivers’ standings.

The Briton completed his first F1 test at Imola in February and took part in his first F1 session by taking the place of Max Verstappen in first practice at the Mexican GP in October, raising eyebrows with the sixth-fastest lap of the session.

British driver set for Racing Bulls move

The Red Bull/Racing Bulls quartet is likely to be completed by 18-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad.

Lindblad has been part of Red Bull’s junior programme since 2021 and has shown promise throughout his junior career.

He won the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 2023, before finishing fourth in Formula 3 in 2024. This year, he became the youngest winner in F2 history with his victory in the sprint race in Saudi Arabia back in April, a feat completed at 17 years and 243 days.

Red Bull to announce Verstappen's teammate for 2026

The Racing Bulls line-up is also yet to be revealed, but Liam Lawson is expected to have done enough to secure his seat for next year after briefly enjoying promotion to Red Bull earlier this year.

However, he was demoted after just two rounds, but has since righted the ship at Racing Bulls.

Tsunoda, who replaced him in the RB21, is expected to miss out on a seat entirely.

Who is likely to replace Tsunoda?

French driver Isack Hadjar is expected to make the step up from sister team Racing Bulls.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed an excellent rookie campaign this season. He is currently 10th in the world championship after ten point-scoring finishes and he claimed his first-ever podium at the Dutch Grand Prix in August.

Max Verstappen set for new teammate in 2026

The expected reshuffle means Japanese driver Tsunoda is set to lose his spot in F1 after five years. The 25-year-old could stay attached with engine manufacturer Honda and therefore act as a test driver for Aston Martin next year, though that remains to be seen.

Reshuffle at Red Bull

French driver Isack Hadjar is expected to make the step-up to Red Bull and F1’s poisoned chalice seat after an impressive rookie campaign at sister team Racing Bulls.

Meanwhile, Liam Lawson is likely to be partnered at RB by 18-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad, after the latter showed promise in Formula Two this year.

Red Bull to announce Verstappen's teammate for 2026

Red Bull are to announce their drivers for 2026 today, with Max Verstappen widely expected to have a new teammate.

Yuki Tsunoda has failed to cement his spot at Red Bull after replacing Liam Lawson just two races into the season, with the Kiwi outscoring him since then despite being in the less competitive Racing Bulls car.

Changes to the Racing Bulls line-up mean 25-year-old Tsunoda is likely to drop out of F1 entirely after losing his seat.

Max Verstappen is laughing at McLaren – how many warnings do they need?

Comment: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri missed out on victory in Qatar, with Verstappen’s unlikely win taking this unpredictable F1 title race to the finale in Abu Dhabi. For McLaren, it should never have got this nervy.

Here’s F1 correspondent Kieran Jackson:

Max Verstappen is laughing at McLaren F1 – how many more warnings do they need?