Lindblad the New Verstappen? Why The Comparison is Complete Nonsense!

Verstappen and Lindblad share some similarities. Both drivers were picked up at a young age by the Red Bull Driver Academy, supporting them on their path to Formula 1. Moreover, talks about a Formula 1 seat started early for Verstappen. At the age of seventeen, the Dutchman made his debut in the premier class of motorsport. Lindblad was told this week that he could, exceptionally, drive in a Formula 1 session before turning eighteen.

However, there are also indicators suggesting it is unfair to compare Lindblad with Verstappen. In karting, the Dutchman was dominant. He won world titles and European titles, making a name for himself early in his career.

Similar to Lindblad, he also caught attention in karting early on. He won the WSK Euro Series in 2021, a karting competition that Verstappen won twice. However, the Brit hasn't won any world titles. In the FIA World Championship in the OK class, he finished third in 2021. Lindblad also didn't win any European titles. He came second in the 2020 European Championship OKJ and third in the 2021 FIA European Championship in the OK class.

In motorsport, too, the careers of Verstappen and Lindblad differ. The four-time world champion made a swift move to Formula 1 after just one year in motorsport. Lindblad, in this respect, is following a more traditional path toward Formula 1. While Verstappen mainly gained his experience in the European Formula 3 Championship, Lindblad participated in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, the Formula 3 Championship, and is currently racing in Formula 2.

All in all, comparing Verstappen and Lindblad is still unjustified. The two have similarities, having both been mentioned at a young age by the Red Bull teams, but Verstappen was more dominant in karting. Helmut Marko is incredibly excited about Lindblad, so we will undoubtedly see him in Formula 1, especially now that the FIA has granted him a superlicense.