Red Bull announced on Tuesday that 21-year-old Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda as Max Verstappen’s teammate in 2026, while Arvid Lindblad will join Liam Lawson at sister team Racing Bulls.

Hadjar has impressed in his debut Formula 1 season with Racing Bulls, scoring his first podium with a third-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix in late August.

British-born Lindblad, who also holds Swedish nationality and has Indian heritage through his mother, moves up from Formula 2 and will be the only rookie on the 2026 grid.

Tsunoda’s departure leaves Formula 1 without a Japanese driver on the grid, but Red Bull confirmed he will remain part of the “family” as a test and reserve driver during the first season of the new engine era. He will also serve as Racing Bulls’ reserve when compatriot Ayu Iwasa, this year’s Japanese Super Formula champion, is unavailable.

Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies said, “We believe Isack can thrive alongside Max and produce the magic on track.”

The teammate role alongside four-time world champion Verstappen has historically proven challenging. Verstappen, who could secure a fifth consecutive title at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, will start 2026 with his fourth different teammate since late 2024. Previous teammates—including Sergio Perez, Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and Tsunoda—have struggled to match his pace. This season, Verstappen has scored 396 points with seven wins, while Tsunoda managed just 33 points.

Hadjar expressed excitement at the opportunity. “After all the hard work I’ve put in since joining the junior team, it’s such a great reward,” he said. “I feel ready to go… working with the best and learning from Max is something I can’t wait for.”

Lindblad, the 20th Red Bull junior to reach Formula 1, acknowledged the challenge ahead. “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,” he said.

Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane praised the new pairing. “Liam has excelled when conditions have been toughest, and we look forward to building on this in 2026. Arvid’s rapid progression marks him as one of the standout young talents in the sport,” he said.