Helmut Marko has revealed Red Bulls plans in the event that star driver Max Verstappen is hit with an F1 race ban.
As Formula 1 heads into the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull Racing has taken decisive action to prepare for the potential absence of their lead driver, Max Verstappen. The reigning world champion is perilously close to a race ban, carrying 11 penalty points on his FIA Super Licence — just one short of the threshold that would force him to miss a Grand Prix.
The current tension stems from an incident earlier this month at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, where Verstappen was penalized after a controversial clash with Mercedes rival George Russell. The Dutchman was deemed to have made intentional contact during their heated battle for fourth place, resulting in a 10-second penalty and three licence points.
Though two of those points are set to expire after this Sunday’s race at Spielberg, the risk remains. A further infraction would trigger a mandatory one-race suspension, potentially sidelining Verstappen for the highly anticipated British Grand Prix at Silverstone next month.
To mitigate that threat, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has confirmed that the team has activated a backup plan. Rising star and Red Bull Junior Team driver Arvid Lindblad has been tapped as a possible stand-in should Verstappen be forced to sit out. Lindblad, only 17, has impressed the team with his rapid development and composure beyond his years.
“He spent half a day in the car on Monday in Italy to prepare,” Marko told Austrian outlet Kleine Zeitung. “He’ll also drive in Friday’s practice session at Silverstone. He stands out for his mental strength and self-confidence. His Swedish-Indian heritage seems to be working well for motorsport.”
Red Bull is clearly serious about having a competitive substitute ready if needed. Lindblad, who joined the Red Bull driver program in 2021, is already turning heads in Formula 2, having secured two race victories in his rookie season.
Marko explained that Lindblad is currently one of two official reserve drivers for the team, the other being Ayumu Iwasa. However, Iwasa’s racing commitments in Japan often limit his availability, making Lindblad the more viable option for a last-minute call-up.
“At one point, we even had a deal for a reserve driver to be shared across three different teams,” Marko added, emphasizing how complex the logistics of driver substitutions can be. “It’s not easy to find someone in peak form who is also available. That’s why we’re giving Lindblad this opportunity.”
As Verstappen prepares to defend his title on home turf for Red Bull at the Red Bull Ring, he also faces growing pressure in the championship standings. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have surged ahead following consistent podium finishes, while George Russell — now just 19 points behind Verstappen — is gaining momentum after his victory in Montreal.
While the Austrian GP could be a turning point in the 2025 season, all eyes will also be on Verstappen’s driving — any misstep could not only cost him points, but also put Red Bull’s carefully laid plans into immediate effect.
