Racing Bulls confirm Lawson and Lindblad for 2026

With Isack Hadjar stepping up to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing next season, VCARB move forward with a blend of experience, youth and continuity. Lawson remains with the team after a solid campaign marked by consistency and resilience under pressure.

Lindblad, aged only 18 when the 2026 season begins, becomes the 20th driver from the Red Bull Junior Programme to make the step into F1. His surge through the ranks has been one of the standout junior stories of the past 2 years, with VCARB describing his speed, maturity and ceiling as key factors in finalising the lineup.

Team principal Alan Permane said: “Firstly, a huge congratulations to Isack. He has delivered a truly outstanding season, demonstrating exceptional race-craft and consistency well beyond his experience. He has fully earned his step up to Red Bull Racing and we wish him nothing but the best as he takes on this exciting new challenge in his career, we are proud to have been part of the journey.”

Permane added that Lawson’s adaptability under difficult conditions and Lindblad’s rapid escalation through junior categories made the pairing the right choice for the first season of the 2026 rules reset: “Liam has shown impressive performance and professionalism throughout this year, he has excelled when conditions have been at their hardest 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. Together, they form a strong and dynamic pairing, one that embodies the ambition and youthful spirit of VCARB as we enter a transformative new era for Formula 1," added Permane.

Lindblad, who will race with number 41, called his promotion a milestone he has been working towards since he first began karting: “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 1 so it’s a proud moment to take this step.

"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," Lindblad reckoned.

Lawson, who continues with number 30, said he is determined to maximise the opportunity as VCARB work on the next-generation package. He said: “I’m really looking forward to racing with VCARB in 2026. It’s an opportunity I’ll continue to be grateful for as we enter a year of change in F1.

"I’m ready to get to work with the team as we prepare for the challenging season ahead. It’s going to be an exciting year and I can’t wait to kick it off with my first pre-season with the team," added Lawson.

The announcement reinforces the team’s long-established mandate as Red Bull’s proving ground, a role it has played since its 2006 debut as Scuderia Toro Rosso. The structure that produced multiple Grand Prix winners and champions continues under the VCARB identity, with 2026 marking the start of a more ambitious project aligned directly with the incoming technical era.

With one of the grid’s youngest lineups, VCARB enter the new regulations with a clear focus on continuity, development and long-term performance as the Red Bull ecosystem resets for the next competitive cycle.

The team will begin 2026 preparations with both drivers taking part in an expanded pre-season testing programme, aiming to accelerate Lindblad’s adaptation and build on Lawson’s established base heading into the first major rules overhaul in more than a decade.