The Racing Bulls have officially confirmed their driver line-up for the 2026 season of Formula 1, finalizing one of the last remaining pieces of the grid puzzle.
According to the announcement, Racing Bulls will field Liam Lawson together with rising star Arvid Lindblad in 2026.
This decision completes the full 22-driver roster for Formula 1 next year.
🚦 What the announcement means
Lawson, who previously had stints with other teams, is confirmed to continue into a second full season in F1 — this time with Racing Bulls. Lindblad will make a leap up from the junior ranks: he’s been promoted from the feeder-tier series Formula 2 into the top-tier, marking his first campaign in F1.
The announcement came as part of a broader reshuffle from Red Bull Racing. As part of that shake-up, another driver — Isack Hadjar — will move up to Red Bull’s main team, leaving a seat at Racing Bulls that Lindblad will occupy.
As a result, long-time F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda — who had spent five years racing under the Red Bull umbrella — will not have a race seat in 2026.
Why this matters — the bigger picture
✅ Filling out the 2026 grid
With Racing Bulls’ decision public, all 22 seats on the 2026 Formula 1 grid are now confirmed. This brings clarity to drivers, fans, and teams alike.
🔁 A strategic reshuffle within Red Bull’s sphere
Red Bull’s driver program has undergone considerable change. Isack Hadjar’s promotion to Red Bull’s main team signals confidence in his growth and performance. Meanwhile, younger talents like Lindblad are being fast-tracked into F1 — showing the program’s commitment to refreshing talent and investing in promising newcomers.
For Racing Bulls, this means a “youthful but ambitious” driver pairing: a returning talent (Lawson) plus a newcomer (Lindblad), which could bring energy and potential for growth.
👋 End of the road (at least temporarily) for Tsunoda
The reshuffle effectively ends Yuki Tsunoda’s time racing on the F1 grid — at least for now. Despite being part of the Red Bull system for years, he was left out of the 2026 lineup. This could have big implications for his career, and signals how competitive securing a seat in F1 has become.
Comments from the Team & the Drivers
According to the motorsport media, Racing Bulls’ team boss (at the time of the announcement) expressed pride in the newly formed driver pairing, describing Lawson and Lindblad as “strong and dynamic.” He specifically commended Lawson’s professionalism and resilience throughout the season — including how he stabilized after a shaky start.
As for Lindblad, the young driver reportedly said this promotion was a dream come true — he acknowledged the long journey since he started racing as a child and credited the support of the junior programme and his personal team. He also recognized the challenge ahead, but said he was ready and eager to learn.
Lawson, for his part, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue with Racing Bulls and excitement ahead of pre-season preparations, as the sport braces for regulatory changes in 2026.
What This Means for 2026 — Expectations & Questions Ahead
The new driver lineup at Racing Bulls underscores a generational transition. With Lindblad joining as a rookie, Formula 1 is getting fresh blood even as veterans like Lawson continue. The trust in Lindblad’s potential — granting him a seat right out of Formula 2 — reflects a broader trend in F1: teams increasingly willing to roll the dice on youth if talent and potential are high. For Red Bull’s overall structure, the changes underscore their strategy of constantly evolving and renewing — balancing experience with raw talent across their main team and satellite outfit. Meanwhile, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see whether this youthful energy translates into strong results on track — especially with significant car and regulation changes coming in 2026.
