Arvid Lindblad’s manager has privately explained why he’ll be better than Liam Lawson if he gets F1 seat

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Arvid Lindblad is hoping to make his Formula 1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2026. He’s likely to partner either Yuki Tsunoda or Liam Lawson.

Isack Hadjar is expected to join Red Bull, taking Tsunoda’s place. Lindblad could prevent a reunion between Max Verstappen’s two 2025 teammates at the sister team.

The youngster would be expected to beat Lawson or Tsunoda, perhaps not immediately but over the full season. He’s seen as a key part of the team’s future, but the other two drivers risk becoming remnants of the past.

The 18-year-old, who has appeared in FP1 in Great Britain and Mexico this year, is currently seventh in the Formula 2 standings. He could be the only rookie on the 2026 grid.

Arvid Lindblad’s manager thinks he can avoid same issues as Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda

Writing for The Race, journalist Sam Smith said he’d spoken to Lindblad’s manager, Oliver Rowland, several times.

Rowland, who used to be a Williams F1 development driver and won the Formula E title earlier this year, feels Lindblad has the ‘mental capacity’ and maturity to avoid the same ‘issues’ as Lawson and Tsunoda.

Both drivers impressed at Racing Bulls before earning a call-up to Red Bull. Lawson had only started 11 races when his opportunity arrived.

But Lawson’s demotion and Tsunoda’s impending exit seemingly indicate that neither are good enough to survive alongside a legendary driver like Verstappen. That has left their careers in ‘stasis’.

Rowland is optimistic that Lindblad won’t continue that cycle. His F2 campaign has been mixed, but the series isn’t always the best barometer – Oliver Bearman struggled last season, but since stepping up to F1 with Haas, he’s emerged as a contender for a 2027 Ferrari seat.

David Croft picks Arvid Lindblad’s 2026 F1 teammate

Lindblad outpaced Tsunoda in Mexico practice, and while that’s optically damaging for the Japanese driver, Laurent Mekies did clarify afterwards that the two drivers were on different programmes.

Still, Lindblad met all of Red Bull’s expectations during the hour-long session, so this may have been a step closer to achieving his goal.

David Croft believes Lawson will keep his Racing Bulls seat, alongside the newcomer. History suggests both drivers will be on one-year deals.