Yuki Tsunoda will not race in Formula 1 next season, with Red Bull confirming sweeping changes that place Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing and promote Arvid Lindblad to Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson.
The 2026 line-up marks a major reshuffle across the Red Bull camp, leaving Tsunoda without a full-time race seat for the first time since his debut. He will, however, remain within the Red Bull family as a test and reserve driver for both teams.
Red Bull chooses youth: Hadjar joins Verstappen
Red Bull’s senior team will field Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar in 2026. The 19-year-old French rookie has been one of the standout performers of the 2025 season, currently sitting 10th in the championship and second among Red Bull-affiliated drivers behind Verstappen.
Hadjar’s breakthrough included a sensational maiden podium at the Dutch Grand Prix, alongside consistently strong performances at both familiar and unfamiliar circuits.
His rapid adaptation has convinced Red Bull that he represents their strongest homegrown prospect since Verstappen. The organisation also sees the 2026 rules overhaul and expanded pre-season testing as a perfect window to integrate Hadjar into the senior team.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane praised Hadjar’s “truly outstanding season” and performances “well beyond his experience”.
Lindblad steps up as Lawson retained at Racing Bulls
At Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, rising star Arvid Lindblad is set to make his Formula 1 debut. His promotion follows an impressive rookie campaign in feeder series F2 and standout FP1 appearances with Red Bull at Silverstone and Mexico.
The team has also chosen to retain Liam Lawson, who has rebuilt his reputation since a difficult early-season stint at Red Bull. Lawson has been among the midfield’s top scorers since a major set-up breakthrough at the Austrian Grand Prix, strengthening his case for continuity.
Red Bull’s long-term vision factored heavily into the decision, with the company wanting both a stable reference driver (Lawson) and space to promote Lindblad—one of the most promising talents in its junior ranks.
Why Tsunoda was dropped
Tsunoda’s exit comes after an inconsistent season plagued by fluctuations in pace and results following his early-year switch with Lawson. Although he delivered strong races at times, Red Bull ultimately viewed Hadjar and Lindblad as higher-upside long-term prospects.
Despite losing his race seat, Tsunoda will continue to support both teams’ development programmes, remaining a key part of the Red Bull driver ecosystem.
