Red Bull’s young talent Lindblad awaits FIA’s nod, as Tsunoda stays put and Verstappen walks a fine disciplinary line.
Arvid Lindblad could soon find himself on the Formula 1 grid. Red Bull sent the British-Swedish teenager to race in New Zealand over the winter to accumulate the final points required to obtain an F1 super licence. All that remains is a special exemption from the FIA, as current rules state that drivers under the age of 18 cannot qualify without one.
“Arvid Lindblad has the points for the Super Licence, but he will only turn 18 in September,” recently stated Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull advisor. “That’s why we are currently asking the FIA for a waiver, the same kind that Antonelli received.”
The FIA World Motor Sport Council will review Lindblad’s licence request next Tuesday.
Indeed, just one more penalty point on his own super licence during the upcoming weekend in Canada would mean the four-time world champion could be forced to miss Red Bull’s home race in Austria.
“He cannot afford any infractions over the next two race weekends,” Marko confirmed to Speed Week, “and of course, he will be told not to do anything reckless. It would be a disaster if he couldn’t start in Austria.”
“But we don’t expect that to happen, as it’s certainly not the case that Max does something wrong in every race. After Austria, the first penalty points will be removed.”
If Verstappen is banned for a race, the most likely scenario is that Red Bull would promote Isack Hadjar to the main team and replace him with Lindblad, and Marko continues to praise his young protégé following his victory in Barcelona.
“Arvid Lindblad has performed well in Formula 2. He won the feature race, celebrating his second victory of his rookie season. If he keeps this up, a move to Formula 1 can be expected. He may only be 17, but he is also a great talent.”
Meanwhile, Marko has reassured Yuki Tsunoda that his seat alongside Verstappen in the senior team is likely secure, at least through the rest of the 2025 season.
“Tsunoda scored one point over the last three races, and that is obviously not satisfactory. But he needs more time, and he will have it. We expect him to be in the car until the end of the season.”