Rising Red Bull star backed to create major problem

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has backed Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad to create a major problem, should he be handed a promotion at the end of the year. 

Lindblad is viewed as a rising star within the Red Bull camp, and is known to be liked by its motorsport advisor Helmut Marko. 

Mentored by new Formula E world champion Oliver Rowland, Lindblad has been competing for Campos Racing this year in his maiden Formula 2 campaign. 

Already, the 18-year-old has collected two victories in the junior category and made his F1 first practice debut at the British Grand Prix. 

Lindblad replaced Yuki Tsunoda for the opening practice session at Silverstone, but has also been carrying out significant private testing with the Red Bull family. 

Red Bull is preparing Lindblad in a similar manner to how Mercedes prepared Kimi Antonelli, who was put through an intense testing programme ahead of making his full-time debut. 

The question Montoya raises, is who will Lindblad replace? In his eyes, Isack Hadjar will be promoted to partner Max Verstappen for 2026, with Lindblad to partner Liam Lawson in Racing Bulls. 

It would mean an exit from the Red Bull family for Tsunoda; however, Montoya does not believe Lindblad is ready for an F1 promotion yet.

"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?" Montoya asked AS Colombia.

"They would have to take out Yuki, you have to put Hadjar in the Red Bull and Lindblad in the RB.

"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."