The start of the 2026 Formula 1 season has been tumultuous, with intense discussions around the new regulations, Mercedes’ dominance, and Aston Martin’s poor performance. Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been on everyone’s lips after his victories in China and Japan, as has Max Verstappen – though not for positive reasons. In fact, after the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, the Dutch driver hinted at a possible retirement from Formula 1.
However, one Red Bull family driver who has not received enough attention is 2007-born Arvid Lindblad, the only rookie on the 2026 grid. Although only three races have passed, his performances and attitude have already been noteworthy.
His teammate, Liam Lawson, has scored more points so far, but Lindblad sits level on points with Red Bull’s second driver, Isack Hadjar, and has shown the potential to succeed in Formula 1. Furthermore, his behavior, both on and off the track, strongly resembles the early career of Max Verstappen.
Arvid Lindblad and the striking resemblance to Max Verstappen
Both Verstappen in his early years and Lindblad share many personality traits and racing habits. There are also numerous similarities in the way they progressed once they entered the top tier of motorsport.
Both drivers arrived in Formula 1 at a very young age: 17 years old for Max Verstappen and 18 for Arvid Lindblad. Their journeys in the fastest single-seaters on the planet began with Red Bull’s junior team, Racing Bulls – the same team that was called Toro Rosso when Max made his debut in 2015.
What most clearly links the two is their character. During the first three rounds of the 2026 season, Arvid Lindblad has been very aggressive both in defending and attacking against rivals, demonstrating tenacity and a strong desire to win – much like Max. Even Isack Hadjar complained in Japan about #41 from Racing Bulls for his extreme defense of position, emphasizing that Lindblad is fully living up to being part of the same “family.”
Moreover, just like Verstappen, Arvid Lindblad is highly self-critical. Being a rookie, it is entirely normal to make mistakes during the first races of his career. Yet, after a somewhat messy weekend in China, he openly criticized his own performance in post-race interviews, frustrated with himself because he knew the car had more potential. Such self-reflection is a valuable trait and not to be underestimated, as very few drivers possess it.
What does the future hold for Arvid Lindblad in Formula 1?
Answering that question is quite difficult, if not impossible. It is still very early to know with certainty whether Lindblad will be able to handle the immense media pressure that comes with an environment like Formula 1.
However, analyzing the first races, the young English driver has demonstrated impressive speed and learning ability. He scored his first career points on debut. Then, after a difficult weekend in China, he bounced back and had a strong showing in Japan, reaching Q3 on Saturday and finishing Sunday in P14, only affected by poor timing with the Safety Car.
His teammate Liam Lawson has extensive experience within Racing Bulls and is an excellent reference point for Arvid Lindblad’s imminent growth. It is impossible to say whether he will surpass Isack Hadjar, but should Max Verstappen seriously consider retirement, Lindblad would certainly be among Red Bull’s first options.
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