- F1
Follow all the latest F1 news ahead of the season finale in Abu Dhabi as Red Bull announce their team for next season
Kieran JacksonFormula 1 CorrespondentTuesday 02 December 2025 16:27 GMTComments
CloseFormula 1: Red Bull 'Sincerely' Regrets Comments Made on Kimi Antonelli
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter and get behind-the-scenes access and unrivalled insight
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Email*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice
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:
Recommended
Red Bull confirm Max Verstappen’s 2026 F1 teammate and Yuki Tsunoda’s future
Who is Arvid Lindblad? British teen set for F1 bow in 2026 after bold prediction to Lando Norris
F1 standings after Qatar GP as Max Verstappen closes gap on Lando Norris
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
Lindblad vows to 'rise' to F1 challenge
"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!"
Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 16:26Arvid Lindblad giving Racing Bulls seat
British 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.
British 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad now has a spot in F1 (Getty)Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 16:13The cursed seat?
Hadjar 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.
Several drivers have struggled at Red Bull (Getty Images)Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 16:00Hadjar gets his chance
Isack 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.
Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 15:45Hadjar says he is ready to join Red Bull in 'awesome' move
Isack 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. “
Isack Hadjar wants to learn from Max Verstappen (Getty Images)Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 15:33Hadjar can 'thrive' beside Verstappen, says Mekies
Team 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.”
Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 15:25Red Bull thank 'complete racer' Tsunoda
Laurent 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.”
Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 15:19Tsunoda relegated to reserve driver role in 2026
Red Bull also confirm that Yuki Tsunoda will be a “test and reserve driver” for 2026.
It has been a tough season for the Japanese driver (Getty Images)Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 15:12Confirmed! Isack Hadjar to drive Red Bull next season
Red 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...
Isack Hadjar will step up to Red Bull next season (Getty)Lawrence Ostlere2 December 2025 15:07Aston Martin, McLaren to replace drivers in Abu Dhabi
Aston 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.
Flo Clifford2 December 2025 15:00Newer1 / 3OlderMore about
Max VerstappenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMcLarenQatar Grand PrixAbu Dhabi Grand PrixRed BullKimi AntonelliYuki TsunodaIsack HadjarmercedesLiam LawsonArvid LindbladJoin our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments
