British F2 star handed F1 audition at Mexico GP and is in line to replace Red Bull flop

Red Bull are closing in on a decision over their 2026 driver line-up plans and British teenager Arvid Lindblad has a golden opportunity to boost his chances on Friday

British teenager Arvid Lindblad is among a swathe of rookies who will drive a Formula 1 car in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Friday. A strong performance from the 18-year-old could seal a promotion to a full-time seat next year with Lindblad being prepped for the next step.

Lindblad is the latest driver to come off the Red Bull production line and chiefs feel the Brit has the potential to be one of their best graduates since Max Verstappen. He will get the chance to show off some of that talent when he fills in for the Dutchman during practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

It is effectively a final audition for the talented teenager who is believed to be Red Bull’s preferred choice for one of their 2026 seats. He is seventh in the standings as we approach the climax of what has been a solid, if unspectacular, first season in that series for the youngster.

But Red Bull are understood to have not been put off by his failure to immediately set that series alight and continue to have high hopes for Lindblad’s future. The team will begin to make their final 2026 driver line-up decisions after the Mexico race weekend and some outlets suggest the teenager’s promotion is all-but assured.

Isack Hadjar is in a similar position, regarding a move to the top Red Bull team to partner Verstappen next year following an impressive rookie campaign. That leaves just one space left at junior outfit Racing Bulls with two drivers fighting for a place on the 2026 grid.

Liam Lawson currently races for the team, having raced the first two rounds of the year with the main Red Bull squad before being dropped. It took the New Zealander some time to recover from that and, while he has recorded some impressive results this year, his form has not been consistent enough to assure his future.

READ MORE: Mexico GP to look very different as NINE F1 teams make driver line-up changesREAD MORE: ‘I knew Michael Schumacher and he was only ever rattled by one F1 rival’

The same is true for Yuki Tsunoda, who was promoted to replace Lawson with Red Bull hoping experience would inspire better results out of their second car and aid their overall development. But the Japanese has also floundered in that seat next to Verstappen.

There were early signs of progress with points scored in three of his first five race weekends driving for the team. But he then went on a long scoreless run which piled on the pressure – though 16 points scored across the last three Grands Prix are evidence that he is finally making progress.

But it may well be too little, too late – especially as he remains two points behind Lawson in the standings despite having spent almost all the season driving for the senior team. This is also his fifth full season in F1 and there are questions over whether he has made enough progress over that period to conclude that a sixth campaign will yield any better results.

The imminent end of Honda’s relationship with Red Bull could also play a part, as Tsunoda arrived in their programme in the first place because of that partnership. The Japanese engine manufacturer is linking up with Aston Martin next year and so, if he is the one to be axed, he could find a landing place there as a reserve or test driver.