Lindblad: Marko believed in me when others didn't

Marko announced his exit from Red Bull days after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and one of the last decisions he made or was involved in making was the promotion of Lindblad from Formula 2 into the top flight, as he will partner with Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls, replacing Isack Hadjar, who was promoted to Red Bull Racing alongside Max Verstappen, as Yuki Tsunoda took on a reserve role.

While Lindblad has been tipped to be the next big talent to come through the ranks of the Red Bull Driver Academy, his promotion was a bit of a surprise, as he did not win the F2 Title, finishing the 2025 season sixth in the standings. He was fourth in Formula 3 back in 2024.

But then, it was clear that with the failures of Tsunoda and Lawson alongside Verstappen in Red Bull Racing, they were running out of options with only Lindblad available and ready with a super license and some F1 experience following FP1 appearances.

But the rookie believes his promotion was due to Marko's belief in his talent and said of his connection with the 82-year-old: "It's quite a big thing.

"I mean, I've worked very closely with them the last couple of years, Rocky [Guillaume Rocquelin, Head of Red Bull Driver Academy] and Dr. Marko and the whole team. I’m extremely grateful for their support and all the work we've done, but especially with Dr. Marko.

“It's not been the easiest year for me. I'm not happy with how it's gone, but he believed in me when others didn't, and I'm very grateful for that," he added, referring to his 2025 F2 season.

And while Marko has been known for his ruthlessness in the manner he managed the Red Bull junior driver program, Lindblad begged to differ.

"I find it funny when a lot of people say how difficult it can be to work with him," he said, "their stories of how they struggled to work with Dr. Marko, how he's very difficult, and people are scared of him. For me, it's always been the opposite. I've always had a very good relationship with him.

“There are certain things he wants to see, and I mean, I can’t talk for others and their experience, but I’ve always had a very good relationship with him, and he’s helped my career massively.

"The fact that he believed in me when others didn't, I'm very grateful towards him, because this opportunity wouldn't have come without him.

"I don't really like excuses and when people talk rubbish, and he doesn't do that—he just says the truth, and I like to do the same," Lindblad claimed. "I think on that side, it's helped me.

"It's helped me to learn the best way, helped me progress the fastest because he just says the truth and the way things have been.

"And I appreciate that honesty as well, because there are a lot of people in motorsport who want you to tell them what they want to hear," he concluded.

Lindblad took part in the post-season Pirelli test of 2026 tyres in Abu Dhabi with Racing Bulls. He racked up 139 laps and was just 0.014s slower than Lawson. (Reporting by Agnes Carlier)