Red Bull Racing has announced Isack Hadjar will replace Yuki Tsunoda next year, giving Max Verstappen his fourth teammate in two seasons.
In a widely anticipated move that completes the 2026 grid, Tsunoda has been demoted to a test and reserve role with Red Bull Racing, while Hadjar is to be promoted from sister team Racing Bulls.
Formula 2 race winner Arvid Lindblad will join Racing Bulls after impressing Red Bull management with his private testing program and two FP1 stand-in appearances this year in Silverstone and Mexico City.
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"[Lindblad] has demonstrated raw speed, maturity and potential, underscoring the team's long-standing commitment to developing elite young talent," Racing Bulls said in a statement.
Hadjar will become Verstappen's fourth teammate in less than two seasons, following the rapid turnover that included Sergio Pérez, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda. This will take the four-time reigning champion's tally to seven since his promotion in May 2016.
The announcement comes after an encouraging maiden Formula 1 campaign for Hadjar, highlighted by a third-place finish in Zandvoort.
The 21-year-old has been the standout rookie this season, with his single-lap speed proving particularly impressive.
Despite piloting what is, on average, the sixth-quickest car, Hadjar has been the competition's eighth-best qualifier. His average grid position of ninth comfortably makes him the best among the midfield drivers, sitting just behind Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who holds an average grid position of eighth.
Earning 51 points this season, the French youngster sits inside the top 10 in the drivers' championship, two points clear of 250-race veteran Nico Hulkenberg.
"I'm so grateful to Red Bull for giving me the opportunity and trust to race at the highest level of Formula 1," Hadjar said in a Red Bull statement.
"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.
"I feel ready to go to Red Bull, and I am happy and proud [that] 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."
Following four full seasons with the junior team, Tsunoda replaced Lawson at Red Bull beginning with the third round this season.
Although Tsunoda was in contention to partner Lindblad at the team, he lost out to Lawson, who retains his seat.
In a statement, Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies — who previously worked as team boss of Racing Bulls — explained the strategic necessity of retaining Tsunoda's experience and his strong connection to key technical partners for the crucial 2026 regulatory shift.
"Through his five seasons so far in Formula 1, 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," he said.
"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 forward."
It has been reported that Tsunoda has retained a place in the Red Bull program because of his continued strong backing by Japanese manufacturer Honda.
Although Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls are set to switch to their in-house, Ford-supported power unit next year, a technical deal with Honda will still be required for the team's testing program, which utilises cars from previous seasons.
Honda has been the power unit supplier for Racing Bulls since 2018 and Red Bull Racing since 2019.
Despite his strong form at Racing Bulls, Tsunoda was elevated to Red Bull after initially being overlooked in favour of Lawson ahead of the season.
Lawson endured two disappointing rounds to open the season, qualifying almost a second behind Verstappen on average and recording only one 12th-place finish.
In his place, Tsunoda has fared only slightly better.
In the dry, he has qualified on average 0.513 seconds behind Verstappen, which equates to an average grid position of nine places behind his teammate. He has scored just 30 points in 21 rounds, maintaining an average finishing position of 12th.
Lawson has looked promising since his two-race axing from Red Bull, rediscovering his form mid-year to become a regular Q3 contender and point scorer.
After scoring just once in the first 10 rounds, the Kiwi has accumulated 38 points to sit 14th in the drivers' standings — five points ahead of Tsunoda but 13 points behind Hadjar.
No driver previously dropped by Red Bull has ever returned to the senior team.
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