F1 Rookie Arvid Lindblad Beats Max Verstappen in Epic Ford ‘Race Through Time’ Challenge

Three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen was beaten by Red Bull Junior Arvid Lindblad in a special multi-generational racing challenge celebrating 123 years of Ford performance history.

The event, titled “Race Through Time,” was hosted by Jeremiah Burton and released on January 14, 2026. It was designed to highlight Ford’s past, present, and future ahead of the Red Bull–Ford Powertrains partnership launching in the 2026 Formula 1 season.

The competition took place in Las Vegas and was divided into three challenges: drag races, cornering laps, and a full-circuit head-to-head finale.

Verstappen dominated the drag races early, setting the fastest run of the day in the 2024 F-150 Lightning Super Truck with a blistering 6.47-second pass. Lindblad struggled initially, particularly with the manual clutch of a 1970 Boss 302 Mustang.

The momentum shifted during the cornering segment. Lindblad earned critical bonus points by completing a lap in a 1924 Ford Model T, clocking 2:22 and successfully passing the challenge in the century-old car.

The video’s surprise highlight came when Daniel Ricciardo made a special appearance. The retired F1 driver acted as a mentor and comic presence, exchanging playful banter with Verstappen ahead of the final race.

For the finale, Verstappen chose an Australian V8 Supercar, while Lindblad selected the 2025 Mustang GT3. Using superior aerodynamics and grip, Lindblad shocked viewers with a 1:03 lap, beating Verstappen’s 1:06 to secure the overall win.

The result symbolized a passing-of-the-torch moment, blending Ford’s racing legacy with the next generation of Formula 1 talent.