Red Bull rising star's mentor reveals 'broader programme' to F1 seat

Newly crowned Formula E world champion Oliver Rowland has detailed how Red Bull has a "broader programme" for its junior star Arvid Lindblad, to prepare him for Formula 1.

Rowland has mentored Lindblad since the teenage sensation was just seven years old, and has been alongside him ever since.

Lindblad recently replaced Yuki Tsunoda in first practice ahead of the British Grand Prix, marking the 17-year-old's true F1 debut. 

The Formula 2 driver has completed several TPC tests (Testing of Previous Cars) for Red Bull and is destined for a future F1 seat within the Austrian family. 

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko rates the British driver very highly, with some speculating whether he could be handed a promotion to Racing Bulls next year. 

When asked in a RacingNews365 interview how proud he was watching Lindblad make his F1 debut, Rowland answered: "Yeah, it was a proud moment for me.

"Especially getting to see someone who I've known since he was a seven-year-old kid, drive out alongside Max [Verstappen] in a Red Bull car, it was an extremely proud moment.

"I actually thought I was going to be a bit more emotional, even thinking about it, I was emotional before the weekend. 

"But when we were in the garage, it was like business as usual, and we had a job to do. So he did a great job. I think they were reasonably happy with the job that he did. And he gave everything that he needed."

Lindblad 'enough talent' for F1

Similarly to how Mercedes prepared Kimi Antonelli prior to his F1 debut, Lindblad has been looked after by Red Bull. 

He has enjoyed a strong start to his maiden F2 campaign and is already a two-time race winner, and will likely receive further FP1 appearances in F1 this year. 

Lindblad impressed in Silverstone and was only five-tenths slower than Verstappen, and ended the session 14th on the timesheets. 

It is clear Lindblad is being prepared by the Milton Keynes-based outfit for a future seat in the pinnacle of motorsport, something Rowland is certain the young driver is talented enough for.

Discussing if the FP1 appearance increased Lindblad's self-belief of reaching F1, Rowland explained: "I think he's got more than enough talent to be in Formula 1, which is the most important thing.

"But I don't know, I think the FP1 sessions are quite difficult. There's a lot of attention, you don't get so many laps.

"So for us, it was more ticking a box and giving the team what they need in terms of feedback and giving him his first experience.

"I think there's a broader programme going on behind-the-scenes to make sure that he's ready for F1 but I believe he will be."