Red Bull have reportedly decided on their plan to replace Max Verstappen in the event the reigning world champion is handed a suspension. Verstappen was punished for his involvement in an incident with Mercedes’ George Russell at Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Verstappen, who was already furious with his garage following a late decision to change him onto a set of hard tyres, had been asked by team principal Christian Horner to give up a spot to Russell following an earlier incident. But as Russell was accelerating to overtake the four-time Drivers’ Championship winner, Verstappen himself sped up and rammed into tge Brit’s car.

To the dismay of some, including Sky Sports pundit Nico Rosberg, it didn’t result in a black flag for the Red Bull driver. However, Verstappen was given three penalty points, meaning he’s now just one away from a one-race suspension.

Should that scenario play out, it appears Red Bull have already taken steps to ensure his replacement is able to step in, with De Telegraaf reporting the Milton Keynes-based constructor have applied to the FIA for an exception regarding a superlicense for teenage sensation Arvid Lindblad.

The 17-year-old, who was born in London, has been impressing on the Formula Two circuit and would be nominated the replacement for Verstappen in the event of a possible suspension. It’s claimed Red Bull applied for the exception prior to Sunday’s race in Barcelona and haven’t yet received a response.

Superlicences are required in order for drivers to compete in Formula One, with a minimum age of 18 often required to obtain one. That rule can be waived if there is a 17-year-old who has “demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity” behind the wheel in another FIA-approved championship.

The tweak came last year as Kimi Antonelli, aged 17 at the time, was being tipped to compete in a practice session for Mercedes. Commenting on the decision in June 2024, Toto Wolff said: “The president of the FIA always had the ability and discretion of letting a driver drive, if you believe that the performance was good enough.

“I think the change of regulations isn’t [about] Antonelli, it is generally to make sure that drivers with the right pedigree, CVs, success and maturity are able to race in F1, rather than a birth date. I think that was the right decision.”