Red Bull and Arvid Lindblad warned after impeding Mexico City Grand Prix FP1
25th October 2025Red Bull and Arvid Lindblad were both slapped with warnings after the British driver was found to have impeded McLaren’s Pato O’Ward in practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool
Lindblad, one of nine rookies to take part in Free Practice 1 at the Mexico City GP, found himself in hot water with the stewards after they believed he had impeded O’Ward – another FP1 rookie – in the technically problematic session.
The stewards confirmed that Lindblad was told that O’Ward was on a hot lap and closing in on the Red Bull driver, but then informed their driver that the McLaren had backed off.
However, O’Ward had caught up to Lindblad at turn nine, to which the former took to the run-off area and was able to continue without damage.
It was said that the information seemed to be based on ‘misinterpretation of GPS data’ which reportedly had an intermittent feed throughout the opening hour of practice
In the stewards’ meeting, Lindblad and O’Ward were present, and their report said:
“During Free Practice 1, Car 89 (OWA) was on a fast lap and approached the slower Car 36 (LIN) from behind. LIN was initially warned by his team that OWA was closing the gap (Radio: … So, OWA at 3,5 … 2 …”), but was immediately thereafter informed that OWA was backing off.
“This latter message appears to have been based on a misinterpretation of GPS data which we were told had an intermittent feed during the session.
“As a result, in Turn 9, OWA caught up directly with LIN, who’s car was positioned slightly to the right of the racing line but would have had better options to safely allow OWA to pass.
“To avoid contact, OWA took the run-off area but was able to continue without damage.
“During the hearing, both drivers agreed that LIN’s team did not make full use of the available information to give precise instructions, and that LIN could have chosen a different line to facilitate an easier and safer pass for the faster car. OWA stated that he did not feel endangered at any time and remained in full control of his car.”
The stewards confirmed that Lindblad’s actions did result in ‘an unnecessary impeding,’ and were ‘potentially dangerous.’
However, as the infringement took place in free practice, and held no sporting consequences, the Stewards decided to give both Lindblad and Red Bull a warning for the incident.
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- United States Grand Prix: 3 winners & losers in COTA
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
