Oct.25 (GMM) Purple Bull has postponed its long-awaited driver bulletins – whilst rising star Arvid Lindblad strengthens his declare for a 2026 System 1 seat.
Helmut Marko had advised each Purple Bull groups’ lineups can be settled by the Mexican Grand Prix weekend, however the determination has now been pushed again.
“Now we have some solutions, however I can’t let you know what the motive force lineup will seem like,” Marko informed Sky Italia.
“We’ll wait a bit after which decide. Let’s see what occurs after the race right here, after which we’ll no less than give some feedback.”
Nonetheless, the image is changing into clearer. Lindblad is predicted to step as much as Racing Bulls in 2026, changing Isack Hadjar, who’s reportedly certain for Purple Bull Racing. That leaves one seat probably open – a showdown between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson for the remaining seat.
Lindblad practiced in Max Verstappen’s automotive throughout FP1 in Mexico and impressed instantly – even lapping quicker than Tsunoda.
“The group clearly informed me, ‘Be careful, it’s Max’s automotive!’” the 18-year-old laughed. “Effectively, I feel I did job, other than just a few minor errors.”
Marko agreed. “Lindblad has been on our record for a very long time,” he informed Blick. “Now he’s confirmed as soon as once more that we’re hardly off the mark with our evaluation.
“It was a really troublesome scenario for Arvid – we informed him to not crash the automotive – however he carried out strongly and was the quickest rookie. His technical suggestions was additionally spectacular, so we’re very pleased with him.”
Purple Bull group principal Laurent Mekies mentioned the group desires to provide Tsunoda as a lot time as potential to indicate what he can do. “We wish to give Yuki and all our different drivers as a lot time as potential,” Mekies confirmed.
“I do know we’ve mentioned prior to now that we’d decide after Mexico, however we actually don’t must rush something. We’ll take our time and after we’re prepared, we’ll decide.”
Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane echoed that persistence.
“It’s true that will probably be after Mexico,” he confirmed. “However I don’t know if will probably be proper after Mexico or weeks later – possibly Brazil or Las Vegas, so don’t take it too actually.
“Now we have 5 drivers, and we all know for positive that Max received’t be driving our automotive,” he joked. “There are 4 remaining, and we’re persevering with to analyse the scenario. However proper now, each groups are locked in a good Constructors’ Championship battle, so it’s finest for us to not interact in driver negotiations that would have an effect on our stability.”
In the meantime, Hadjar – extensively tipped to interchange Tsunoda – is uninterested in fielding questions on his future. “Ideally, I’d like everybody to attend till the tip of the season earlier than asking me questions,” mentioned the Frenchman, who’s carrying an Alain Prost tribute helmet this weekend.
“This fuss is de facto annoying. However there wasn’t a single session this 12 months the place I used to be three-tenths slower and couldn’t clarify why. That’s by no means occurred to me earlier than. So I’m happy with myself – and meaning Purple Bull might be happy too.”
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