Arvid Lindblad made a notable impression during his Red Bull F1 debut at the Silverstone circuit last weekend, capturing the attention of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko. This milestone marked the British-Swedish driver’s first official outing in Formula 1, showcasing the talent he has nurtured through the Red Bull Junior Team.
Lindblad secured his super licence earlier this year and was promptly confirmed to take part in the RB21 during the British Grand Prix weekend. He stepped in for Yuki Tsunoda during the FP1 session at Silverstone, delivering a strong performance despite it being his first F1 experience.
Helmut Marko’s Positive Evaluation of Lindblad’s Initial Performance
Helmut Marko, well-regarded for cultivating exceptional drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, expressed his satisfaction with Lindblad’s debut. In his Speedweek column, Marko noted the young driver’s promising contribution during practice:
“Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad took part in free practice for Red Bull Racing for the first time at Silverstone. In our opinion, the teenager did very well – his speed was good, his comments were insightful, and the technicians are very happy with his performance.” —Helmut Marko, Red Bull Advisor
During the FP1 session, Lindblad ranked 14th, recording a best lap time of 1:27.958. This placed him within half a second of Max Verstappen’s mark, though he remained over a second slower than the session’s fastest lap set by Lewis Hamilton. Over the course of the session, Lindblad completed 22 laps, demonstrating consistency and endurance.
Extended Testing and Development Opportunities for Lindblad
Formula 1 regulations have recently increased the mandated rookie practice sessions to four per team starting from 2025, providing more seat time for young drivers. Additionally, teams often allow rookies to participate in Test and Practice Car (TPC) sessions, where they drive cars that are at least two years old to gain further experience.
Following his Silverstone debut, Lindblad returned for a TPC session where he completed more than 100 laps. Helmut Marko highlighted this effort as a testament to Belland’s fitness and competitive speed:
“Lindblad was back in the car the week after the Silverstone GP, completing more than 100 laps and demonstrating excellent physical condition and competitive lap times.” —Helmut Marko, Red Bull Advisor
Lindblad’s Path Forward and Potential Red Bull Future
Currently competing in the Formula 2 championship with Campos Racing, Lindblad holds sixth place in the standings. With Yuki Tsunoda facing challenges and less-than-ideal race results in recent events, Lindblad’s progress is being closely watched as a potential candidate for a Red Bull F1 seat by the 2026 season.
This debut and subsequent testing signify a critical step in Lindblad’s career, reflecting Red Bull’s continued commitment to nurturing promising talent within their driver program. As his performance evolves, he may become a key figure in the next generation of Red Bull Formula 1 drivers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is 17 banned in F1?
A. The number 17 is the only race car number in Formula 1 that is officially retired. It honors Jules Bianchi, a French driver. Bianchi was using the number 17 when he had a tragic accident at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2014.
Q. Which F1 driver has ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton, born in 1985, is a British Formula One driver for Mercedes and previously raced for McLaren. He openly talks about living with ADHD and explores his wide-ranging interests and passions.
Q. Is number 69 allowed in F1?
A. Drivers can pick a permanent number between 0 and 99, with the exception of 1. Only the World Drivers’ Champion has the option to use No. 1, but it is not mandatory.
Q. Which F1 drivers have ADHD?
A. Lewis Hamilton, also known as Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, was born in 1985. He is a British racer in Formula One, currently driving for Mercedes, and has also been a driver for McLaren. Hamilton openly talks about his experience with ADHD and shares his various interests and passions.