Red Bull Racing has confirmed that current Formula 2 driver and Red Bull Junior Programme talent Arvid Lindblad will step up to F1 with Racing Bulls for the 2026 season. He will be alongside Liam Lawson.
The 18-year-old Brit has impressed in his rookie F2 campaign with Campos Racing, where he has already claimed 2 race victories, 4 podium finishes, and currently sits in P6 with 121 points. His standout performances include becoming the youngest winner in F2 history with his Sprint Race triumph in Jeddah, as well as a dominant Feature Race victory in Barcelona.
Lindblad’s rapid rise through the junior ranks, combined with his ties to the Red Bull Junior Team since 2021, has made him one of the most highly anticipated prospects on the grid.
Lindblad’s Racing History
Arvid Lindblad was born to a Swedish father and an Indian mother into a motorsport-loving family, growing up in Surrey, England. His father, a former motocross rider, first bought him a bike, but it was his mother who insisted on a balance between racing and education, making school a non-negotiable.
At just five years old, Lindblad switched to karting, beginning at Surrey’s Daytona Park circuit. His talent quickly became evident, as he collected multiple titles across the UK and Europe, including the British Karting Championship in 2018. His breakout year came in 2021, when he won both the WSK Euro Series and the WSK Final Cup, sharing the spotlight with names like Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli. That same year, at only 13, he joined the prestigious Red Bull Junior Programme.
Transitioning into single-seaters, Lindblad impressed immediately. In Italian F4, he finished third overall before stepping up to FIA Formula 3 with PREMA Racing in 2024. There, he claimed four victories, including a dominant sweep at Silverstone, on his way to fourth in the standings and the Aramco Best Rookie Award.
In 2025, he graduated to Formula 2 with Campos Racing, making history as the youngest race winner in F2 at 17 years and 243 days after his Sprint Race triumph in Jeddah. He later added a Feature Race win in Barcelona and currently sits sixth in the standings with 121 points.
His rapid rise also earned him a Formula 1 outing, taking part in Free Practice 1 at Silverstone with Red Bull, where he completed 22 laps and placed P14 on the timesheets. The British driver also took part in FP1 in Mexico, leading the rookies in that session and outpacing Yuki Tsunoda.
Alan Permane, Team Principal of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, 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.
“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, while 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 One.”
Arvid Lindblad, #41 of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls said:
“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. 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!”
Liam Lawson, #30 of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls 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.”
