Red Bull reveal Max Verstappen replacement plans as FIA confirm

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🔺 Red Bull Prepare Arvid Lindblad as Verstappen Faces Ban Threat

FIA Clears Cars After Late Canadian GP Inspection

Red Bull Racing has officially begun preparing 17-year-old British talent Arvid Lindblad as a possible stand-in for Max Verstappen, who is just one penalty point away from a one-race ban.

Team advisor Dr. Helmut Marko confirmed the decision earlier this week, stating:

> “We are fully aware of the situation with Max. While we hope he avoids further penalties, we must be ready. Arvid has shown excellent progress in the simulator and will take part in Friday practice at Silverstone.”

Verstappen currently sits on 11 FIA penalty points, with two due to expire after the Austrian GP. However, if he incurs any new penalty before then, he will receive an automatic race suspension—something Red Bull are eager to avoid but unwilling to leave unprepared for.

Who is Arvid Lindblad?

Arvid Lindblad, born in London in 2007, is one of the brightest prospects in the Red Bull Junior Team. He’s currently competing in FIA Formula 3 and has already recorded multiple top-5 finishes this season. Lindblad’s promotion to F1 Free Practice 1 at the British Grand Prix will mark his first public outing in a Formula 1 car.

Known for his sharp racecraft and maturity beyond his years, Lindblad has also tested extensively in Red Bull’s simulator and was recently seen working closely with engineers at the team’s Italian base.

Another Red Bull insider commented:

> “We’ve had our eyes on Arvid for some time. His pace, feedback, and professionalism have been outstanding. He’s already earning the trust of the team.”

FIA Confirms Post-Race Legality Check

Separately, the FIA confirmed that a late technical inspection was conducted on the cars of George Russell (Mercedes), Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) after the Canadian Grand Prix. The examination focused on fuel systems and electronic compliance.

After thorough checks, the governing body found no irregularities, declaring all three cars to be in full compliance with 2025 Formula 1 technical regulations.

This ruling comes as a relief to teams involved in the tight Constructors’ Championship battle, where even minor infractions can lead to devastating point losses.

What Comes Next?

With tensions rising ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Verstappen must drive cleanly to preserve his shot at defending the title. A mistake could not only sideline him but hand a golden opportunity to rivals such as Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and George Russell.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Arvid Lindblad as he steps into the global spotlight during FP1 at Silverstone possibly marking the beginning of a new F1 star’s journey.