Red Bull banking on ‘pure speed’ superstar as replacement for F1 champ Max Verstappen
The Milton-Keynes-based Red Bull could promote a Max Verstappen-level talent to Formula 1 in the coming years.
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Christian Horner, Max Verstappen and Arvid Lindblad (Via: Imago, Autogear)
The four-time F1 world champion, Max Verstappen, has been carrying the burden of Red Bull on his shoulders for a long time. Amidst the ever-present rumors of him potentially leaving the team in the upcoming years, the outfit’s advisor Helmut Marko has revealed a 17-year-old star in the making.
The 81-year-veteran has named the Milton-Keynes-based team’s junior prospect Arvid Lindblad as a potential replacement for Max Verstappen. Marko genuinely feels the latter could become a world champion in the future in F1.
It’s a great pleasure and enjoyment to work with Max, but Max won’t drive forever. Especially not as long as [Fernando] Alonso or [Lewis Hamilton] are doing. And the junior team [ambition] is to find new talents. And we are not looking for a new Max. We’re looking for a new champion. I think the next one which looks really promising is Arvid Lindblad. First of all, is his pure speed. He proved that in go-karting and in all the junior categories.
Helmut Marko via Inside Line podcast
Looking at Marko’s upbeat reaction, Red Bull could be tempted to fast-track Lindblad into F1 just like they did with Verstappen. However, the catch is that the 17-year-old would need to continuously progress to burst through the door into the Austrian outfit’s F1 setup. Next year, he will compete in Formula Regional Oceania with M2 competition.
Red Bull impressed with Arvid Lindblad’s ‘mental and driving skills’
While Helmut Marko has backed Arvid Lindblad to drive for Red Bull, he has also specifically talked about the latter’s skills. Marko is extremely impressed with the 17-year-old’s mental and driving skills while racing.
He’s always one category ahead already. That’s also from his physical side. As for his mental preparation, when he goes into a new formula, he is one of the few ones who went directly from Formula 4 to F3. He has his opinion, and he knows how to prepare, and he commits to it step by step. So I would say it’s a very good combination between mental and driving skills.
Helmut Marko via the same interview
Red Bull has always been blessed when it comes to getting drivers into F1 from its junior program. The Ex-F1 driver Sebastian Vettel and current champion Max Verstappen are the top names who have made it big for the team at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Keeping in view everything that has been discussed, Marko and Co. will keep a close eye on Lindblad in 2025. If things go well, then who knows the young talent might be seen in Red Bull’s junior team by the start of the 2026 season.
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Rishabh Negi
(3234 Articles Published)