Lindblad’s promotion comes after just one season in Formula 2, where he finished sixth with three race wins. That was enough for Red Bull to hand the 18-year-old a chance at Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson, at a time when even experienced drivers will be adapting to new cars and engines.

Team bosses Alan Permane and Peter Bayer have already warned him that early competitiveness will be difficult, a message Lindblad fully accepts.

“The advice (from the team has been that) things are going to be difficult,” Lindblad said, as quoted by Autosport.

“I shouldn’t be naive. I’m very aware of the fact that it will be a big challenge. It will be a really big step up.”

With pre-season testing in Barcelona marking the start of his F1 journey, Lindblad expects the opening races to be about learning rather than results.

“It’s just about being open-minded… I need to just work hard and keep focused on myself,” explained young F1 driver.