Arvid Lindblad’s rise puts pressure on Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar, warns Johnny Herbert. Johnny Herbert warns that rising F2 star Arvid Lindblad could leapfrog Yuki Tsunoda and Isack Hadjar.

Rumors about the future
It’s no longer surprising that the two Red Bull family teams – the main team and Racing Bulls – are constantly surrounded by real or rumored market speculation about potential driver changes. On numerous occasions, either at the end of the season or even mid-year, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner have chosen to shake up the lineups, moving drivers between teams or unceremoniously dropping those who failed to meet expectations.

This year has already seen the Liam Lawson- Yuki Tsunoda swap, but a new ‘threat’ is emerging: 17-year-old Arvid Lindblad, who has just received FIA approval to debut in F1 despite being a minor. The young Brit, currently performing strongly in F2 and sitting third in the overall standings, is the latest product of the Red Bull junior program overseen by Helmut Marko. The veteran Austrian talent scout dreams of turning him into the next Max Verstappen.

The Lindblad prospect
Former driver and steward Johnny Herbert, now fully dedicated to his work as a commentator and pundit, believes that a strong F2 season could allow Lindblad to leapfrog not only Yuki Tsunoda but also Frenchman Isack Hadjar, who is making a good impression in his rookie season with Racing Bulls.

“I know Helmut Marko has a lot of respect for Lindblad,” Herbert stated in an interview with YaySweepstakes. “I met him when he was 14 and racing karts. He has a strong mindset and a clear vision of what he wants to achieve, with F1 in mind. He’s a perfect candidate to replace Tsunoda if his struggles continue. Could there be someone better than Verstappen? Yes. Could it be Lindblad? Sure, but true worth is revealed when you’re sitting in the car with Max on the other side of the garage. That’s where Tsunoda will be looking over his shoulder because he’s not doing the job expected of him. F1 is a very tough mental game.”

Hadjar a collateral victim?
And what about Hadjar? “The good thing about him is his consistency,” Herbert acknowledged. “He’s performed well every time he’s hit the track. He’s put himself in a great position. But if Lindblad wins the F2 championship, I believe Red Bull will want the F2 champion in that second seat, especially given how quickly Lindblad has progressed. That said, Isack Hadjar is making Red Bull’s decision difficult, even if he’s never won an F2 title,” concluded the former Benetton, Stewart, and Sauber driver.