Crazy images emerge after Red Bull confirm Formula 1 grid shake up
Red Bull locked in their drivers’ line-up for next season, but it was throwback images of two young stars that left jaws on the floor.
The Formula 1 grid for 2026 has officially been locked in after Red Bull announced their line-ups for next season.
Isack Hadjar will step up and replace Yuki Tsunoda as Max Verstappen’s teammate in the main team.
While teenager Arvid Lindblad will take Hadjar’s vacated seat in the Racing Bulls car alongside Liam Lawson.
The stunning shake-up means Tsunoda won’t be on the grid for next season after failing to impress alongside the four-time world champion.
News of the grid shake up quickly whipped around the Formula 1 community with wild images of both Hadjar and Lindblad emerged.
One snap from 2020 showed a baby-faced Hadjar posing alongside Verstappen with the youngster throwing out a thumbs up in the pic.
Footage of Lindblad from 2021 resurfaced and it showed the then 14-year-old giving a very direct message to Lando Norris.
“Lando I want you to remember me, I will see you in five years,” he said.
Lindblad’s words are set to come to fruition when he lines up on the grid in Melbourne for the opening race of the 2026 season.
The now 18-year-old becomes the 20th graduate of Red Bull’s junior program to reach F1 and will be the only rookie on the grid next season.
Fast-tracked through the ranks and already a Formula 2 race winner, he will step up after just two FP1 outings with Red Bull earlier this year.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Hadjar on the other hand will become Verstappen’s fourth teammate in two years after excelling throughout his rookie season.
The 21-year-old’s year got off to a nightmare start when he crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix on the formation lap.
Since then he has shown more than just a few flashes of brilliance.
Despite steering what on average has been the sixth-quickest car, the Frenchman has been the grid’s eighth-best qualifier, with an average qualifying result of 9.32.
Those numbers are comfortably best among those in the middle of the grid, and it has been enough for Red Bull to give him a shot.
With 51 points for the season to date, the 21-year-old is currently sitting 10th in the championship.
“After all the hard work I have put in since joining the junior team, it’s such a great reward,” Hadjar said in a Red Bull statement.
“I’ve had many ups and downs throughout my career and they kept believing and pushing me.
“It’s an awesome move, to work with the best and learn from Max is something I can’t wait for.”
Originally published as Crazy images emerge after Red Bull confirm Formula 1 grid shake up
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