Red Bull have announced their driver line-up for 2026, with Yuki Tsunoda losing his spot in F1.
Max Verstappen’s next teammate will be Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar. The 21-year-old has enjoyed an excellent rookie season in F1 and currently sits 10th in the world championship, and his reward is a step up – or a step into the sport’s poisoned chalice seat, depending on your view.
Liam Lawson is expected to retain his seat in sister team Racing Bulls, with 18-year-old British-Swedish junior driver Arvid Lindblad tipped to make the jump from F2, where he has impressed this year, to F1 and partner the Kiwi next season.
It follows a busy few days for Red Bull, who released a statement on Monday in which they said they “regret” comments after the Qatar Grand Prix which have led to Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli receiving death threats on social media.
Follow live build-up to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with The Independent below:
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
What is the driver line-up for 2026?
19:29 , Lawrence OstlereHAAS
Esteban Ocon
Ollie Bearman
RACING BULLS
Liam Lawson
Arvid Lindblad
WILLIAMS
Alex Albon
Carlos Sainz
What is the driver line-up for 2026?
18:58 , Lawrence OstlereMERCEDES
George Russell
Kimi Antonelli
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso
Lance Stroll
ALPINE
Pierre Gasly
Franco Colapinto
What is the driver line-up for 2026?
18:08 , Lawrence OstlereMcLAREN
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
FERRARI
Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton
RED BULL
Max Verstappen
Isack Hadjar
Lawson and Lindblad together at RB
17:33 , Lawrence OstlereRacing 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?
17:03 , Lawrence OstlereLindblad 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'
16:43 , Lawrence Ostlere“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
16:26 , Lawrence Ostlere"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
16:13 , Lawrence OstlereBritish 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?
16:00 , Lawrence OstlereHadjar 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
15:45 , Lawrence OstlereIsack 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
15:33 , Lawrence OstlereIsack 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
15:25 , Lawrence OstlereTeam 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
15:19 , Lawrence OstlereLaurent 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
15:12 , Lawrence OstlereRed Bull also confirm that Yuki Tsunoda will be a “test and reserve driver” for 2026.
Confirmed! Isack Hadjar to drive Red Bull next season
15:07 , Lawrence OstlereRed 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
15:00 , Flo CliffordAston 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?
14:40 , Flo CliffordIt 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?
14:21 , Flo CliffordPiastri 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?
14:00 , Flo CliffordNorris 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
13:40 , Flo CliffordLando 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?
13:22 , Flo CliffordLando 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
12:32 , Flo CliffordHelmut 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
12:17 , Flo CliffordBritish 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
12:00 , Flo CliffordMcLaren’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
11:40 , Flo CliffordMcLaren 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
11:20 , Flo CliffordRed 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?
11:05 , Flo CliffordMcLAREN
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?
10:50 , Flo CliffordWhile 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
10:35 , Flo CliffordRed 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?
10:20 , Flo Clifford18-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
10:03 , Flo CliffordThe 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
09:49 , Flo CliffordThe 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?
09:31 , Flo CliffordFrench 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
09:15 , Flo CliffordThe 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
09:09 , Flo CliffordFrench 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
09:08 , Flo CliffordRed 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?
17:03 , Lawrence OstlereComment: 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?
