Red Bull Racing has submitted a special application to the International Automobile Federation (FIA) for an exemption to allow its young star, Arvid Lindblad, just 17, to compete in Formula 1. The measure, which will be discussed at next week’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau, seeks to broaden the team’s options in the face of the possibility that its star driver, Max Verstappen, could face a ban that could rule him out of a race.

The request comes at a critical time, as Verstappen has accumulated 11 of the 12 penalty points allowed on his superlicense, putting him at risk of a suspension if he commits an infraction at the upcoming races in Canada or Austria. The FIA, aware of this scenario, will assess whether Lindblad, who turns 18 in August, just after the Hungarian Grand Prix, can receive an early superlicense due to his “exceptional talent and maturity” in lower categories, as stipulated in the International Sporting Code.

This strategic move by Red Bull is not new. In 2024, the FIA ​​granted a similar exemption to Kimi Antonelli, allowing him to obtain his superlicense before the age of 18. Lindblad, who has excelled in Formula 2 and already has the necessary points for the superlicense, could become a viable option for Red Bull should they need a temporary replacement for Verstappen. If approved, the young British-Swede could participate in practice sessions or even take a seat at sister team Racing Bulls if a lineup change occurs.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has emphasized the importance of having a solid group of drivers in case of any unforeseen events. “There’s no guarantee that Max will be able to avoid problems in the upcoming races,” Horner noted. In the event of a penalty, Red Bull plans to promote Isack Hadjar, one of their promising youngsters at Racing Bulls, to the main team, while Lindblad or Ayumu Iwasa could fill the vacant seat in the secondary team.

The request, submitted months ago, had not been reviewed until now due to a lack of urgency, but Verstappen’s situation has accelerated its relevance. The FIA’s decision will not only affect Red Bull but could also set a precedent for future exemptions in Formula 1. With the season in full swing, all eyes are on Macau, where it will be decided whether Lindblad will become the next young talent to make the leap to motorsport’s top category.