Gary Anderson: Lindblad looks like Red Bull's next Verstappen

Arvid Lindblad is already shaping up as Red Bull's most promising junior prospect in years, with veteran analyst Gary Anderson likening the 18-year-old rookie's raw speed and aggressive mentality to a young Max Verstappen. Despite driving for Racing Bulls and being overshadowed by Kimi Antonelli's headline starts, Lindblad has demonstrated the genuine pace that separates future stars from solid midfielders.

Why it matters:

Red Bull has a poor record of promoting drivers too quickly, with Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and even Liam Lawson struggling after rushed ascents to the senior team. Lindblad represents a potential break from that cycle and, crucially, an in-house answer should Verstappen's rumored departure become reality.

The details:

• Lindblad has outpaced Lawson, his experienced teammate and a former Red Bull Racing driver, in clean weekends.
• His debut in Australia and qualifying efforts in Barcelona revealed real one-lap speed, even if deployment issues and practice setbacks have masked his points tally.
• Anderson notes Lindblad's "take-no-prisoners" approach mirrors Verstappen's 2015 Toro Rosso arrival, though he remains far from the finished article.
• Racecraft over a full grand prix distance is still developing, but his underlying pace suggests a higher ceiling than his predecessors.

What's next:

Red Bull should resist temptation and let Lindblad complete his education at Racing Bulls through 2026 and 2027. The message should be clear: 2028 is the target. Give him time to sharpen consistency and racecraft, and the team may find it already holds the answer to a post-Verstappen future.