The search for Red Bull’s next champion is on and they think they have a potential title winner already in their midst.
Liam Lawson hasn’t even got his RB cockpit warm as he becomes Max Verstappen‘s teammate and yet a new challenger is on the horizon.
GettyVerstappen has always planned to leave Formula 1 at the top and only has a contract until 2028[/caption]
Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko, who played a key role in Lawson usurping Sergio Perez, is always on the lookout for the next talent to enter the team’s Milton Keynes-based academy.
And he reckons a 17-year-old born in England could have the perfect skill set to become their next champion when Verstappen quits the sport.
The Dutch driver claimed his fourth-consecutive world title in 2024 but has repeatedly claimed he does not intend to become an elder statesman in Formula 1.
While rivals Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are still fighting for glory at 39 and 43, respectively, he intends to retire and spend time with his family.
Rumours about an early exit increased further after the 27-year-old, who has already spent 10 years in F1, confirmed he is set to have a child with partner Kelly Piquet.
But Red Bull chief Marko has explained he now has high hopes for teen talent Arvid Lindblad.
Born to a Swedish father and a British mother, he was racing in Formula 3 this season – completing a sprint and feature race victory at Silverstone – and finished the season in fourth.
That’s already seen him promoted to Formula 2 for 2025 and he could well be the the man to replace Verstappen – although any claims he can match his talent are very much being played down.
“It’s a great pleasure and enjoyment to work with Max, but Max won’t drive forever,” said Marko on the Inside Line F1 podcast. “Especially not as long as Alonso or Hamilton are doing.
“And the junior team prospect [sic] 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.
“And in his first year, or always in Formula 4, even if he didn’t win the championship, the same applies to F3, he could have won the championship, but circumstances and so on, but what is making him outstanding, is his pure speed.
“In one of the Formula 3 races [at Silverstone], he overtook, in one lap, I don’t know, 10 or 14 other drivers. He won the race from being last in these tricky conditions, wet, dry and so on.
“If I look back, I met him first in Portimao. Portimao have a very attractive go-kart circuit and we had a Formula 1 race and I met him and his father. And it was Arvid who was leading the conversation, with 12 years or so [of age]. So that also was something which is not normal!
“But he had a clear vision and a clear way how to achieve it. And since then he moved steadily forward.”
The youngster’s pathway to the top is already under consideration as Red Bull attempt to make him ready for the step up to Formula 1.
GettyLindblad is already impressing team bosses having competed in Formula 3[/caption]
“He will be next year in Formula 2,” Marko continued.
“He is doing a very good preparation. The test was okay.
“We are doing a special programme for him, sending him to New Zealand in this FRECA [Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine] championship, and the goal is to win it so he gets the necessary points for a Super License. Even so, we will be 18 only in August.”
Asked about Lindblad’s strengths, Marko added: “First of all is his pure speed. He proved that in go-karting and in all the junior categories.
“He’s very smart, and he is honest to himself. When he makes a mistake, he doesn’t look for excuses, and he’s looking forward. He’s always one category ahead already. That’s also from his physical side. As for his mental preparation, when he goes in 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 and step by step.
“So I would say it’s a very good combination between mental and driving skills.
“The first three [F2] test days just happened in Abu Dhabi, and he improved day by day.
“In the beginning, he was around three-tenths behind his team-mate [Pepe] Marti, who already did the full season, and on the last day on the qualifying run, he was already ahead of him. So that shows he watches, he looks what his team-mate is doing, and he knows where to improve.
“So the first step was okay, but we don’t want not only to be just ahead of his team-mate, we want him to win or to be one of the top players in the championship.
“And that is his commitment, looking, he knows what other drivers are doing, their strengths and weaknesses, so he has an overall picture. And that, I think, is the base for big success in the future.”