Lindblad Credits Marko's Belief for F1 Opportunity with Racing Bulls

Arvid Lindblad, set to make his Formula 1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2026, has highlighted the pivotal role Helmut Marko played in his career, crediting the outgoing Red Bull advisor for believing in him during a challenging season. The 18-year-old becomes the final driver promoted to F1 under Marko's direct oversight, marking the end of an era for Red Bull's junior program.

Why it matters:

Marko's departure signals a major shift in Red Bull's famed driver development strategy. Lindblad's promotion, secured despite a difficult F2 season, underscores the lasting impact of Marko's personal conviction in talent, a philosophy that has defined Red Bull's approach for decades and launched numerous careers.

The details:

• Lindblad described a strong, positive relationship with Marko, contrasting the public perception of the advisor as intimidating. He valued Marko's direct honesty over what he called the "rubbish" and excuses common in motorsport.
• The British driver finished sixth in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship, a result he himself labeled unsatisfactory. He stated that Marko's belief was crucial when others had doubts, directly linking his 2026 seat to that support.
• His preparation extended beyond F2, involving extensive simulator work, FP1 sessions, and Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) with Red Bull. He emphasized his long-term integration, noting it's his fifth year in the Red Bull program.
• Lindblad's performance in the Abu Dhabi post-season test, where he completed 139 laps and finished just 0.014 seconds behind experienced teammate Liam Lawson, provided a tangible confidence boost ahead of his promotion.

What's next:

With Marko's chapter closing, Lindblad's F1 journey begins. His path highlights that raw results aren't the only metric in Red Bull's system; sustained development work and earning key figures' trust remain powerful currencies. All eyes will be on whether this final Marko protégé can validate that faith when he joins the Racing Bulls grid in 2026.