‘Many in the F2 paddock’ think Red Bull have made a mistake with Arvid Lindblad

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Arvid Lindblad will be the only rookie on the 2026 Formula 1 grid. He’s stepping up to the Racing Bulls team, replacing Isack Hadjar.

Red Bull announced the reshuffle of their F1 roster on Tuesday afternoon, with Hadjar taking over from Tsunoda. Lindblad will partner Liam Lawson at the sister team as Tsunoda drops off the grid altogether.

Having only turned 18 in August, Lindblad will be the youngest driver on the grid. Having finished fourth in Formula 3 last year, he ranks sixth in F2 with one round remaining.

Lindblad outpaced Tsunoda during an FP1 outing for Red Bull in Mexico in October, albeit on a different run plan. He also drove the car at Silverstone during the summer.

F2 insiders think Arvid Lindblad needed another year before Racing Bulls move

Lindblad has won two races and scored four podiums in F2 this year. However, he’s also failed to score points on 10 occasions, which underlines his inconsistency.

According to Motorsport Italia, there are ‘many in the F2 paddock’ who think Lindblad would have benefited from a second year in the series if he wants to ‘get everything right’ at the highest level.

But Red Bull are looking for the next Max Verstappen amid concerns that the Dutchman will leave the team at the end of next year. That’s why they’re effectively stress testing drivers, aware that a Verstappen-calibre talent would be able to survive.

Lindblad will immediately be under intense pressure. As the report notes, it will be seen as a failure if he doesn’t compete for a 2027 Red Bull seat.

And if he doesn’t meet expectations, then Racing Bulls have a highly capable reserve in Tsunoda who will be ready at a moment’s notice.

Some at Red Bull doubt that Arvid Lindblad can be a top driver

What’s more, Bild reveal that there are some doubts ‘internally’ at Red Bull as to whether Lindblad can become an ‘absolute top driver’. The consensus is that Helmut Marko has forced this move through without universal enthusiasm.

However, it’s worth noting that Red Bull weren’t fully sold on Hadjar this time a year ago, and he’s gone on to produce one of the best rookie campaigns the team have seen.

Perhaps comparisons can be drawn between Lindblad and Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli, who also entered F2 at 17, finished sixth last year.

There have been moments during Antonelli’s rookie year at Mercedes where he looked unprepared for a top F1 seat. But the Italian has flourished lately, justifying Toto Wolff’s gamble – and that might have inspired Marko.