Red Bull junior Lindblad enjoys surprise F1 debut at Imola

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Red Bull's prodigious 17-year-old protégé, Arvid Lindblad, enjoyed a surprise F1 test t Imola on Thursday, courtesy of Racing Bulls.

The British driver, a rising star in motorsport, took to the track in Racing Bulls’ 2023 AT04 for a two-day TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session.

The surprise outing marks a significant milestone in Lindblad's promising career, as he continues to carve his path to F1.

Inching Closer to F1

Although overshadowed by the excitement surrounding the launch of Racing Bull’s 2025 car, VCARB 02, Lindblad’s F1 test signifies an important step in his development.

The young gun, labeled by Helmut Marko as a potential successor to Max Verstappen, had already made a splash earlier this year, clinching the Formula Regional Championship in New Zealand, a victory that earned him the necessary FIA super licence points.

This achievement was remarkable, especially considering Lindblad’s age – the new regulation change allowing conditional super licence eligibility for under-18-year-olds has opened doors for his meteoric rise.

Testing the Waters in a Real-World F1 Car

While the outing at Imola marked Lindblad’s first track test of an F1 car, the Briton enjoyed in 2024 a brief spin onboard Red Bull’s championship winning RB8 at a show run event.

This week, however, the Briton was able to push the limits of the AT04 and experience the sensation of a top-tier single-seater in real-world conditions.

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Red Bull’s top brass, including Marko and team principal Christian Horner, have long touted Lindblad as one of the brightest talents in their junior program.

After a strong performance in F3, Lindblad is set to make the leap to Formula 2 this season with Campos Racing, and if his pace continues to impress, F1 may be just around the corner.

If Lindblad shines in F2 this year, the Red Bull family could soon have another F1 contender on their hands who could find his way onto the grid for 2026.

With his remarkable talent and strong backing from Red Bull, Lindblad is undoubtedly a name to remember as the future of Formula 1 continues to unfold.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.