26/06/2025 11:25
Max Verstappen will temporarily get a new team-mate during next
weekend's British Grand Prix. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko
revealed on Tuesday that rising star Arvid Lindblad will make his
F1 debut in first practice at Silverstone, although he shied away
from stating whether it would be with Red Bull or Racing Bulls. It
has now emerged, according to Dutch publication De Telegraaf , that
the 17-year-old will drive the RB21, partnering four-time F1
champion Verstappen on Friday morning. The outing is all part of
Red Bull's plan to get Lindblad up to speed in F1 machinery should
Verstappen have to serve a ban this season. The Dutch driver goes
into this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix still on the brink of being
banned, as he has 11 points on his super licence. One more and he
will be sidelined. Even after this weekend, when points drop off
Verstappen's licence, he will be on nine through to the Mexico City
Grand Prix, so remaining in a precarious position. Lindblad,
praised by Marko for his "mental strength and self-confidence", was
recently granted an early FIA super licence after Red Bull sought
an exemption to the rule that requires any document holder to be
over 18. The Briton does not turn 18 until August. In being handed
his F1 debut before his milestone birthday, he will become the
first driver since Verstappen to drive during a grand prix event
aged 17. Explaining the rationale behind Lindblad's rise to
prominence, Marko said: "We are preparing in case something really
happens to Verstappen in terms of penalties. "We currently have two
reserve drivers - Lindblad and Ayumu Iwasa, but the Formula 1 dates
overlap with his appearances in Japan. "For some races, we even had
a deal with another team. One time, there was even a replacement
planned for three teams. "It is not so easy to find someone in good
shape, and that's why Lindblad is in the car now." The Red Bull
junior is competing in F2 this year and is currently third in the
championship, eight points adrift of leader Alex Dunne.
