Arvid Lindblad, a promising 18-year-old driver backed by Red Bull, is being considered for a seat on the Formula 1 grid for the 2026 season with Racing Bulls. Currently competing in Formula 2 with Campos, Lindblad moved up after finishing fourth in the 2024 Formula 3 series. Despite showing talent with two wins and three podium finishes, Lindblad sits seventh in the championship with 92 points, trailing the leader Leonardo Fornaroli by 62 points with just four rounds left.
His first exposure to Formula 1 machinery came at the British Grand Prix, where he drove the Red Bull RB21 during free practice, completing 22 laps and ending 14th overall with a best lap time of 1:27.958. Red Bull’s technical team and director Helmut Marko expressed approval of Lindblad’s performance and physical condition during this test.
Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad drove for Red Bull Racing for the first time in free practice at Silverstone, and we think the teenager did a great job,
Marko told Speedweek.
His speed was right, his statements were profound, and the technicians are very happy with his performance.
— Helmut Marko, Red Bull Director
Following the Grand Prix appearance, Lindblad participated in Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) at Silverstone where he completed over 100 laps, maintaining strong lap times and physical fitness.
Lindblad was back in the car the week after the British GP and completed more than 100 laps, showing excellent physical condition and competitive lap times,
Marko added.
Uncertainty Over Red Bull’s 2026 F1 Line-Up
Red Bull has confirmed only one of their two seats for the 2026 Formula 1 season. With the possibility of Isack Hadjar moving up to Red Bull, speculation has grown that Lindblad may fill a Racing Bulls seat next year. However, his readiness for F1 has been questioned by experienced voices within the sport.
Juan Pablo Montoya, veteran F1 driver and father to current Formula 2 competitor Sebastián Montoya, who has raced directly against Lindblad, expressed doubts about Lindblad’s preparedness for the top tier of racing. Montoya highlighted the challenge Red Bull faces in deciding their 2026 driver lineup if Lindblad is promoted.
Montoya remarked on the tough choices involved:
“If Lindblad, who I personally think is not ready, but if Racing Bulls want Lindblad next year, who do you take out? Yuki or Lawson? They would have to take out Yuki, you have to put Hadjar in the Red Bull and Lindblad in the RB.”
He also warned of the complications facing Lindblad should he fail to secure a seat next year, linking this to possible internal instability within Red Bull Racing.
And especially because if Red Bull does not do well next year and there are staff changes in Red Bull, the opportunity of Lindblad entering Formula 1 would get complicated.
— Juan Pablo Montoya, Former F1 Driver
Impact of Red Bull’s Internal Changes on Driver Prospects
Red Bull has undergone significant leadership changes this year, with Christian Horner stepping down from his roles as CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing. Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies, although Mekies has not received the full authority his predecessor had. Helmut Marko, aged 82 and a vocal supporter of Lindblad, has taken a firmer approach to team decisions and is contracted through the end of the 2026 season.
These shifts add a layer of uncertainty to Lindblad’s future with the team, as the next two years will be critical in determining whether he can secure a long-term place among Red Bull’s senior pilots. The stability of the team’s leadership and performance next season will be decisive factors in shaping opportunities for junior drivers like Lindblad.
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Prospects for Lindblad’s F1 Career
Red Bull F1 2026 contender readiness remains under close scrutiny as the young driver approaches a pivotal moment in his career. The pressure to perform in Formula 2 and impress during any further Formula 1 testing sessions will intensify. Failure to obtain a seat in 2026 could hinder his progress and perhaps impede his chances of breaking into F1 entirely.
The next few months and seasons are likely to be defining for Lindblad, as the highly competitive environment within Red Bull’s junior programs and the team’s evolving management structure both present significant challenges and opportunities. Should he advance, Lindblad would need to demonstrate consistent performance to retain support and secure his spot in a sport where driver line-ups can change rapidly.