Red Bull is known for its highly successful junior team which has spawned talents including Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
The team often signs talent early in their career and nurtures them through the junior formula ranks, with them being watched under the supervision of Helmut Marko.
Marko is a tough customer to please, with former Red Bull F1 driver Daniil Kvyat explaining how the Austrian came close to sacking him after a run of poor results.
With Sergio Perez’s future currently uncertain at Red Bull, it will not be long before they need to look to the lower ranks for the promotion of talent. Discussing their upcoming season on the Inside Line podcast, Marko has divulged their ‘special programme’ for one rookie.
Helmut Marko details plan to gain Arvid Lindblad enough points for F1 super licence
British driver Arvid Lindblad has been billed as the next talent to come through the Red Bull ranks, having successfully contested this year’s Formula 3 championship and finished fourth overall.
Lindblad will be taking on Formula 2 next season having run in the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, but before that Red Bull plans to run him in another championship to get the necessary points for a super licence.
“He is doing a very good preparation. The [F2] test was ok,” said Marko.
“We are doing a special programme for him, sending him to New Zealand in this Formula Regional championship and the goal is to win it so he can get the necessary super licence points. So he will be 18 only in August in September.”
Red Bull could benefit from FIA super licence rule change
Earlier this year the FIA made amendments to Appendix L of the International Sporting Code to add a clause that states that, although the minimum age for a super licence is 18 years old, special dispensation may be granted for certain drivers who are 17 years old.
While it was intially thought that Mercedes was attempting to get an early debut for Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the Williams, it turned out to be a request from Red Bull.
Red Bull stood to benefit from the change with Lindblad, as the changes to Appendix L means he could take part in a series of FP1 outings with the team.
Any chance of him being franted a super licence for FP1 sessions would still require FIA approval under the discretion of the changes to the ISC.
