Breaking: Red Bull decide plan to SUSPEND Max Verstappen following C…read more
Red Bull Prepare Contingency Plan for Potential Verstappen Suspension, Request FIA Superlicence Exception for Young Talent
Red Bull Racing has reportedly prepared a backup plan in case their star driver, Max Verstappen, receives a suspension following a controversial incident during the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix. The reigning world champion was penalized for an on-track clash with Mercedes rival George Russell, an altercation that has brought him dangerously close to a one-race ban.
The incident unfolded during a tense and dramatic race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Verstappen, already expressing frustration toward his team after being switched to hard compound tyres late in the race, found himself in another heated moment when asked by team principal Christian Horner to yield position to Russell. This request followed an earlier racing incident between the two drivers, which the FIA had been monitoring.
However, instead of allowing Russell to pass, Verstappen appeared to accelerate just as the Mercedes driver made his move, resulting in contact between their cars. Although the collision didn’t force either driver to retire from the race, it sparked widespread criticism. Among the loudest voices was former world champion and Sky Sports pundit Nico Rosberg, who expressed disbelief that Verstappen wasn’t immediately disqualified with a black flag.
While Verstappen did escape disqualification, he was slapped with three penalty points on his FIA Super Licence. These penalty points now bring his total to 11 — just one shy of the 12-point threshold that would trigger an automatic one-race suspension. With the season nearing its midway point and tensions high in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, such a penalty could deal a serious blow to Red Bull’s campaign.
In light of this growing risk, Red Bull has reportedly taken preemptive action. According to De Telegraaf, the Milton Keynes-based team submitted a formal request to the FIA for an exemption that would allow 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad to receive a Super Licence and step in for Verstappen, should a suspension occur. The application was allegedly submitted before last weekend’s race in Barcelona, indicating that Red Bull were already aware of the potential disciplinary consequences Verstappen was facing.
Lindblad, a rising star born in London, is currently making a name for himself in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. Despite his young age, he has already impressed the Red Bull driver development program with his skill, maturity, and rapid progression through the junior ranks. However, he does not yet meet all the standard criteria required for a full FIA Super Licence, which includes age and points accumulated from junior racing series. Red Bull’s request therefore hinges on the FIA granting a special exemption — a rare move, but not without precedent.
As of now, the FIA has not issued a public response to Red Bull’s request. If Verstappen does earn one more penalty point in the coming races, and the exemption is approved, Lindblad could make his surprise Formula One debut sooner than anyone expected.
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