Helmut Marko reveals his pick after Max Verstappen leaves the team

Max Verstappen has stated several times so far that he has no intention of remaining part of the F1 scene for many years. In addition, the Dutchman is not even sure if there will be a Red Bull in the coming years. This set off red alarms in the Austrian team, who have to think about who is their best option for the future.

Helmut Marko, the head of Red Bull's driver development program and an advisor to the Red Bull Racing F1 team, spoke about Red Bull's options for the future during the Inside Line F1 podcast. 

One of the options is Arvid Lindblad, 17 years old, who showed his talent in the feeder series category. 

Marko stressed that Max does not plan to race for a long time; therefore, Red Bull must direct its eyes towards junior potential and start looking for new talents. Arvid Lindblad is a name that particularly caught the eye of the experienced Marko.

“It’s a great pleasure and enjoyment to work with Max, but Max won’t drive forever,” said Marko, as quoted by Express.

“Especially not as long as [Fernando] Alonso or [Lewis] Hamilton are doing.

And the junior team prospect [sic] is to find new talents. And we are not looking for a new Max, we’re looking for a new champion. I think the next one which looks really promising is Arvid Lindblad."- Marko continued.

Helmut Marko on Lindblad's talent

Marko looked back on the teenager's performances in Formula 3 and 4, pointing out that despite the fact that he did not win the championship, his speed is something special and unique. Helmut has shown many times in his career that he knows how to recognize talent.

“In one of the Formula 3 races [at Silverstone], he overtook, in one lap, I don’t know, 10 or 14 other drivers. He won the race from being last in these tricky conditions, wet, dry and so on."-he concluded.