Max Verstappen made the fight for the Formula 1 World Championship exciting again with his demonstration of power at the USA GP in Austin/Texas and is breathing down the necks of the weakening McLaren drivers. At the Grand Prix weekend in Mexico, the world champion has to make compromises in the process – and vacate his cockpit for an RB youngster. A hint for 2026?
Max Verstappen is wasting important training time at the Mexican Grand Prix to get in the mood for the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez at an altitude of 2,000 meters.
As Red Bull confirmed, Verstappen will vacate his cockpit for Arvid Lindblad in the first free practice session on Friday. The 18-year-old is one of the Bulls’ young drivers and is currently driving in Formula 2. In the current season, Lindblad celebrated two victories in the premier class and is ranked seventh in the championship.
The Brit is considered a candidate for a Formula 1 cockpit in the B team Racing Bulls at RB, now has the chance to prove himself in Mexico and could convince Red Bull chief advisor Helmut Marko.
Formula 1: Mexico a top place for Verstappen
Max Verstappen shouldn’t be too concerned about the fact that he has 60 minutes less training time than usual in Mexico City. The Dutchman has already celebrated five victories in nine starts – his best success rate in the Formula 1 calendar.
The Formula 1 regulations stipulate that every team must field a rookie per car in free practice twice during the season. Verstappen had already cleared his car for Ayumu Iwasa in Bahrain.
Verstappen made the World Cup really exciting again with his double victory in the sprint and Grand Prix in Austin. In the Drivers’ World Championship, the four-time champion is only 40 points behind leader Oscar Piastri. There are still five races left to compete in the Mexican Grand Prix, plus two sprints (Brazil, Qatar).