16/07/2025 11:05
Newly crowned Formula E world champion Oliver Rowland has detailed
how Red Bull has a "broader programme" for its junior star Arvid
Lindblad, to prepare him for Formula 1. Rowland has mentored
Lindblad since the teenage sensation was just seven years old, and
has been alongside him ever since. Lindblad recently replaced Yuki
Tsunoda in first practice ahead of the British Grand Prix, marking
the 17-year-old's true F1 debut. The Formula 2 driver has
completed several TPC tests (Testing of Previous Cars) for Red Bull
and is destined for a future F1 seat within the Austrian family.
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko rates the British driver
very highly, with some speculating whether he could be handed a
promotion to Racing Bulls next year. When asked in a RacingNews365
interview how proud he was watching Lindblad make his F1 debut,
Rowland answered: "Yeah, it was a proud moment for me. "Especially
getting to see someone who I've known since he was a seven-year-old
kid, drive out alongside Max [Verstappen] in a Red Bull car, it was
an extremely proud moment. "I actually thought I was going to be a
bit more emotional, even thinking about it, I was emotional before
the weekend. "But when we were in the garage, it was like business
as usual, and we had a job to do. So he did a great job. I think
they were reasonably happy with the job that he did. And he gave
everything that he needed." Lindblad 'enough talent' for F1
Similarly to how Mercedes prepared Kimi Antonelli prior to his F1
debut, Lindblad has been looked after by Red Bull. He has enjoyed
a strong start to his maiden F2 campaign and is already a two-time
race winner, and will likely receive further FP1 appearances in F1
this year. Lindblad impressed in Silverstone and was only
five-tenths slower than Verstappen, and ended the session 14th on
the timesheets. It is clear Lindblad is being prepared by the
Milton Keynes-based outfit for a future seat in the pinnacle of
motorsport, something Rowland is certain the young driver is
talented enough for. Discussing if the FP1 appearance increased
Lindblad's self-belief of reaching F1, Rowland explained: "I think
he's got more than enough talent to be in Formula 1, which is the
most important thing. "But I don't know, I think the FP1 sessions
are quite difficult. There's a lot of attention, you don't get so
many laps. "So for us, it was more ticking a box and giving the
team what they need in terms of feedback and giving him his first
experience. "I think there's a broader programme going on
behind-the-scenes to make sure that he's ready for F1 but I believe
he will be."