Max Verstappen will temporarily get a new team-mate during next weekend's British Grand Prix.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko revealed on Tuesday that rising star Arvid Lindblad will make his F1 debut in first practice at Silverstone, although he shied away from stating whether it would be with Red Bull or Racing Bulls.
It has now emerged, according to Dutch publication De Telegraaf, that the 17-year-old will drive the RB21, partnering four-time F1 champion Verstappen on Friday morning.
The outing is all part of Red Bull's plan to get Lindblad up to speed in F1 machinery should Verstappen have to serve a ban this season.
The Dutch driver goes into this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix still on the brink of being banned, as he has 11 points on his super licence. One more and he will be sidelined.
Even after this weekend, when points drop off Verstappen's licence, he will be on nine through to the Mexico City Grand Prix, so remaining in a precarious position.
Lindblad, praised by Marko for his "mental strength and self-confidence", was recently granted an early FIA super licence after Red Bull sought an exemption to the rule that requires any document holder to be over 18. The Briton does not turn 18 until August.
In being handed his F1 debut before his milestone birthday, he will become the first driver since Verstappen to drive during a grand prix event aged 17.
Explaining the rationale behind Lindblad's rise to prominence, Marko said: "We are preparing in case something really happens to Verstappen in terms of penalties.
"We currently have two reserve drivers - Lindblad and Ayumu Iwasa, but the Formula 1 dates overlap with his appearances in Japan.
"For some races, we even had a deal with another team. One time, there was even a replacement planned for three teams.
"It is not so easy to find someone in good shape, and that's why Lindblad is in the car now."
The Red Bull junior is competing in F2 this year and is currently third in the championship, eight points adrift of leader Alex Dunne.
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