Arvid Lindblad, a prodigy in Red Bull’s talent development program currently competing in Formula 2, recently made a promising impression during a private test at Imola. Fresh from accumulating sufficient points to earn an FIA Super Licence, Lindblad took his first formal spin around the circuit in a Formula 1 car this week. This opportunity was provided by Racing Bulls, who fielded the young Brit for a test run in their upcoming 2023 AT04.
Under the FIA’s Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) regulations, Racing Bulls facilitated Lindblad’s trial in the two-year-old AT04. The 17-year-old’s recent victories in junior racing events, including winning the Formula Regional Oceania championship in New Zealand, have amassed enough points for him to qualify for an FIA Super Licence. This is a requirement for all Formula 1 Grand Prix drivers.
However, there’s a catch before Lindblad can formalize his Super Licence. The FIA stipulates that drivers must be at least 18 years old, meaning Lindblad will have to wait until his August birthday. Alternatively, Red Bull could seek special dispensation from the FIA, who have relaxed their rules in this area, allowing teams to apply for age-based exemptions provided the performance criteria are met.
While it is unclear whether Red Bull will pursue this option, the possibility of Lindblad serving as a reserve driver for its two Formula 1 teams in the latter half of this season is very real. As part of his test run, Lindblad was given the chance to drive the AT04, previously raced by Racing Bulls under its former identity as AlphaTauri in 2023. This marked his first real experience in a Formula 1 car on a racetrack, following his debut in a promotional event at a Red Bull Showrun in Houston last month, where he drove a VCARB-liveried 2012 RB7.
Lindblad’s performance at Imola is said to have made a strong impression on senior management at Racing Bulls and Red Bull, reinforcing the potential identified by Red Bull boss Christian Horner and team advisor Helmut Marko, ahead of Lindblad’s forthcoming season in Formula 2.
For now, there is no direct path into either Red Bull team’s driver line-up, with Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson at Red Bull Racing, and the VCARB team set to field Yuki Tsunoda and rookie driver Isack Hadjar. However, if Lawson fails to shine, Tsunoda could potentially step up as Verstappen’s teammate, creating an opening for Lindblad.
Red Bull also needs to plan for its future. While Verstappen is contracted until the end of the 2028 season, performance clauses in his contract leave room for change if Red Bull’s performance falters. As Marko confirmed last season, Lindblad is planned for several TPC outings, unlike Jack Doohan, Oscar Piastri, and Oliver Bearman, who had extensive tests in the two-year-old Formula 1 car.
Red Bull is not seeking a new Verstappen, Marko stated, but a new champion. With Lindblad’s promising performance, he could be the one to fill that role, especially if he excels in Formula 2, preparing him for a potential entry into Formula 1 in 2026. As he rightly noted, Verstappen won’t drive forever, and the talent hunt must continue.
