Christian Horner and Helmut Marko are hatching a plan (Image: Getty)
has revealed that have applied for an exemption from the ’s ruling that drivers under the age of 18 are not eligible to receive a super license in order to promote Arvid Lindblad to official reserve driver status. The 17-year-old Brit is making his Formula Two debut this weekend in Australia after scoring four victories in his rookie Formula Three campaign, including a clean sweep of the sprint and feature races at Silverstone.
These performances marked Lindblad out as a future star and fired him to the top of the pecking order in the young driver programme. While Oliver Goethe and Pepe Marti are both also competing in F2 this season, it is the teenage Brit who stands at the front of the line should either or Isack Hadjar move on next year.
However, as things stand, Lindblad would not be able to compete in F1 should his services be needed this season. have Ayumu Iwasa waiting in the wings as their official reserve, but his Super Formula campaign means that he won’t be available for all 24 Grands Prix in 2025.
, therefore, have made contact with the FIA. “We have Ayumu Iwasa as our reserve driver,” Marko told Auto Motor und Sport. “Lindblad has the points for the super license. We also completed a 300km test with him in a Formula One car at Imola, so he could theoretically step in.
Arvid Lindblad is seen as Red Bull’s next superstar (Image: Getty)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“But he doesn’t turn 18 until August. That’s why we’re currently applying to the FIA for an exemption for the super license. [Kimi] Antonelli got it, too. We see no reason why the same shouldn’t be true for Lindblad. Then we’d already have two drivers on the bench.”
Marko went on to add: “Clearly, [Hadjar] is a fast man, but he hasn’t driven much in Formula One cars. No comparison to [Jack] Doohan, [Oliver] Bearman or Antonelli. They’ve certainly driven ten times more Formula One cars than Hadjar.
More F1… [DRAMA] [COMMENT]
“That’s why we’re rethinking things. We have to pay Honda for extra miles – that’s why we were severely restricted in the TPC tests. But we’re pushing ahead with that now. Our Arvid Lindblad will be racing with significantly more Formula One.”
From Marko’s comments, it is easy to deduce that are serious about promoting Lindblad into F1 in 2026 if he impresses in his rookie F2 campaign. With Tsunoda now in his fifth season with the Racing Bulls squad, the Japanese racer will be looking for pastures new to carve out a long-term career on the grid and would, in doing so, open up a seat.