Driver sends defiant message to F1 grid after Australia duel with Verstappen

The Racing Bulls rookie, who not only grabbed the spotlight for his points-scoring finish on his Formula 1 debut but also impressed with the way he raced against the four-time world champion, stated that he intends to race every driver hard. When asked if he had any particular strategy for racing the Red Bull driver, as appeared during the Australian Grand Prix, Lindblad said:

"It didn't look like that to me. I don't know, I didn't see the comment, I don't think. I haven't really got much to add to it. I'm going to race hard with everyone. If there's an opportunity, I'm going to take it," Lindblad told GPblog.

At Albert Park, Lindblad was involved in close racing with Verstappen, with the Dutch driver waiting until lap 19 to make a move over the young Brit following the end of a virtual safety car.

The Lindblad–Verstappen wheel-to-wheel moment also included a brief incident where the Red Bull Racing driver was forced to brake aggressively in the pit lane, with Verstappen radioing his race engineer, Gian Piero Lambiase, suggesting the rookie may have brake-tested him.

Both drivers eventually finished the Australian GP in the points, with Verstappen claiming sixth and Lindblad settling for eighth place.

Amid his wheel-to-wheel battle with Verstappen, Lindblad’s points-scoring finish saw him enter the list of the youngest points scorers in F1 history.

With four points scored in Melbourne at 18 years, seven months, and one day, Lindblad became the third-youngest driver in Formula 1 history to score points.

Only Kimi Antonelli, at 18 years, six months, and 19 days, and Max Verstappen rank ahead of him, with the Dutchman still holding the record after debuting in Formula 1 as a minor and scoring his first career points at just 17 years, five months, and 29 days.

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