Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that the team’s promising young talent Arvid Lindblad will make his F1 debut in FP1 at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone.
The 17-year-old driver, who currently competes in Formula 2 with Campos Racing, represents a significant milestone for Red Bull’s junior programme as he prepares to take the wheel during the opening practice session next month.
Preparation and testing
The Red Bull organisation has carefully orchestrated Lindblad’s path to his F1 debut. The British driver, who boasts Swedish and Indian heritage, recently completed crucial preparation work at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix venue in Imola.
“He spent half a day in the car in Italy on Monday to prepare him,” Marko revealed to Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung. The young driver shared Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) duties with fellow Red Bull junior Ayumu Iwasa, piloting Racing Bulls’ 2023 AT04 machine.
This preparation follows Lindblad’s acquisition of an FIA superlicence, the mandatory credential required for F1 participation, marking his readiness to step up to motorsport’s premier category.
Reserve driver planning
The decision to fast-track Lindblad’s F1 involvement stems from Red Bull’s approach to reserve driver planning. Until recently, Ayumu Iwasa served as the sole in-house reserve for both Red Bull teams, but his commitments in Japan’s Super Formula championship created potential scheduling conflicts.
“We currently have two replacement drivers: Lindblad and Ayumu Iwasa, whose Formula 1 commitments overlap with his commitments in Japan,” Marko explained.
“It is not so easy to find someone who is in good shape. And that’s why Lindblad is now in the car.”
Verstappen factor
Red Bull’s urgency in developing reserve options has been intensified by Max Verstappen’s precarious position regarding penalty points. The reigning world champion sits just one penalty point away from a mandatory race ban, adding significance to the team’s reserve driver preparations.
“We are preparing ourselves in case something really happens with Max Verstappen in terms of his penalty points,” Marko admitted.
Marko has been particularly impressed with Lindblad’s psychological attributes, which he believes will serve the young driver well in the environment of F1.
“He is characterised by his mental strength and self-confidence,” the Red Bull advisor noted.
Looking towards the British GP
Silverstone, will provide Lindblad with his first taste of F1 machinery during an official Grand Prix weekend. For Red Bull, Lindblad’s debut represents both planning and investment in future talent.
The British Grand Prix will offer Lindblad a home crowd advantage as he takes his first steps into F1, with the Silverstone circuit providing a fitting backdrop for what could be the beginning of a promising F1 career.