The starting grid for the 2026 Formula One World Championship has been finalised, with Red Bull Racing ending the speculation by confirming its driver pairings for both its teams on Tuesday. The announcement sets the stage for the new season, which roars into life at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday 8 March 2026.
Red Bull's Bold Driver Moves Finalise the Grid
As the last team to declare its hand, Red Bull's decisions were highly anticipated, particularly regarding who would partner its star driver, four-time world champion Max Verstappen. The team has promoted Frenchman Isack Hadjar to the senior squad following what it described as an impressive rookie season with its sister team, Racing Bulls.
This major promotion for Hadjar has significant consequences for the driver market. It means Yuki Tsunoda, after five years within the Red Bull system, loses his race seat. However, the Japanese driver will remain with the Red Bull family in a test and reserve driver capacity.
Racing Bulls Bet on Youth and Experience
At the Racing Bulls team, the line-up combines continuity with a remarkable gamble on youth. Liam Lawson has been retained for another season, providing valuable experience. He will be partnered by 18-year-old British teenager Arvid Lindblad, who is handed a sensational promotion directly from Formula 2.
This move represents a huge opportunity for Lindblad and continues Red Bull's tradition of fast-tracking young talent into the pinnacle of motorsport.
The Complete 2026 Formula One Driver Line-Up
With all seats now confirmed, the full grid for the forthcoming campaign is as follows:
McLAREN
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
FERRARI
Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton
RED BULL RACING
Max Verstappen
Isack Hadjar
MERCEDES
George Russell
Kimi Antonelli
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso
Lance Stroll
ALPINE
Pierre Gasly
Franco Colapinto
HAAS
Esteban Ocon
Ollie Bearman
RACING BULLS
Liam Lawson
Arvid Lindblad
WILLIAMS
Alex Albon
Carlos Sainz
SAUBER
Nico Hulkenberg
Gabriel Bortoleto
CADILLAC (new team)
Sergio Perez
Valtteri Bottas
Note: Driver names in italics indicate a new seat for the 2026 season.
A New Era Begins in Melbourne
The confirmation of the grid marks the end of the off-season's driver market drama and shifts focus firmly to pre-season testing and the opening race. The promotion of Hadjar and the debut of Lindblad underscore a changing of the guard at Red Bull, while the arrival of new team Cadillac adds a fresh dynamic to the championship. All eyes will now be on the Albert Park circuit in March to see how these new partnerships perform under the intense pressure of Formula 1.
