Red Bull rising star facing potential test with F1 rival

Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad could test for a rival F1 team should he win the 2024 Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award. 

Lindblad is rated highly by Red Bull and is viewed as a serious talent for the future after finishing fourth in the recently completed Formula 3 season.

The Briton claimed four victories during his debut F3 season, including both the sprint and feature at Silverstone. That has resulted in him being named as one of four finalists for the award.

The prestigious honour is to find the best British junior talent and support their development. Previous winners include Lando Norris, George Russell and David Coulthard. 

Lindblad faces competition from British F4 champion Deagan Fairclough, GB3 championship leader Louis Sharp and Italian F4 championship leader Freddie Slater.

The winner is given more than just a trophy, with £200,000 and a special training programme at Porsche Human Performance being just two of the additional rewards. 

The winning driver will also receive a simulator session, in preparation for a two-day test at Silverstone where an old Formula 2 car, an LMP3 car and an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 will be driven, as well as others. 

However, crucially, in the case of Lindblad, the main reward is a test in an Aston Martin F1 car. Lindblad does have F1 experience, having driven the Red Bull RB8 during a demo run in Houston.

Red Bull's 17-year-old junior will move from F3 to F2 next season, with Lindblad to compete for Campos Racing.