Latest news with #Lindblad
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Helmut Marko confirms plans for British Red Bull starlet destined for F1
Arvid Lindblad is the next youngster to come through the Red Bull pipeline and big things are expected from the British teenager who is already eligible to race in F1 British motorsport starlet Arvid Lindblad has been confirmed as an official reserve driver for Red Bull. Still aged only 17, young driver chief Helmut Marko confirmed the youngster's new role in the week he was granted a superlicence by the FIA. Drivers under 18 are not yet eligible for the licence, which allows a driver to take part in official Formula 1 sessions. But Red Bull applied for a special exemption which was granted by the governing body, which felt Lindblad has shown exceptional talent in junior racing series'. The teenage prodigy has turned heads with his incredible form, in particular an eye-catching double victory at Silverstone in Formula 3 last season. He won both the Sprint and the Feature race at his home event, ensuring Lewis Hamilton was not the only victorious British hero on track at the British Grand Prix. His maiden Formula 2 season has been impressive so far with 11 consistent top-10 finishes and two wins on the trot. Lindblad's stellar record has certainly caught the attention of Christian Horner and Marko who see him as a potential future superstar. Seeing him as a budding successor to Max Verstappen, Red Bull can now place him in the cockpit to fulfil rookie FP1 appearance requirements across their two squads in 2025, giving the teenager a shot at F1 action before he even turns 18 in August. During a conversation about the progress of fellow Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar, Marko let slip the news ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix that Lindblad will be taking up reserve driver duties alongside Ayumu Iwasa for the remainder of the 2025 campaign, now that his superlicence has been secured. READ MORE: Martin Brundle disagrees with Ferrari legend as Lewis Hamilton's boss comes under fire Marko said: "With Lindblad, we are developing someone who is also very strong mentally. Now we have two reserve drivers. Previously, Iwasa was the only one, and he also has races in Japan that overlap with Formula 1." Lindblad could potentially find himself racing in F1 this year, should Verstappen incur a race ban. He is just one penalty point away from that punishment and, should he pick one up in the Canadian or Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull will need to shuffle around their driver line-ups for the race that the Dutchman would miss. It is understood that either Hadjar or Liam Lawson would get the nod to step up to the main Red Bull team for a one-off appearance in Verstappen's car. That would leave a space at sister team Racing Bulls for either Lindblad or Iwasa to fill, depending on who is available at the time. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 about the situation, Horner said: "Arvid Lindblad is at the very beginning of his journey in Formula 1, having been granted that license. First of all, [a suspension for Verstappen is] a situation that we want to desperately try and avoid. And should it come, we've got enough drivers to draw upon from the pool of Red Bull drivers."
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Who is Arvid Lindblad? The 17-year-old phenom Red Bull believes could be F1's next superstar
Arvid Lindblad has quickly emerged as one of Red Bull's most exciting prospects. At just 17, he's already been granted an F1 super licence by the FIA after a special exemption, a move typically reserved for drivers aged 18 and above. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition' earned him that rare nod. Currently shining in Formula 2 with two wins in his debut season, Lindblad also clinched the Formula Regional Oceania title and placed fourth in F3. With his 18th birthday on August 8, F1's next prodigy seems ready for the spotlight. So, who is this Arvid Lindblad? All you need to know about Arvid Lindblad F1 is such a sport that thrives on speed, timing, and relentless drive, Arvid Lindblad is checking all the boxes—before he's even turned 18. The British-Swedish sensation has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in the Red Bull driver pipeline, drawing comparisons to past legends like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. But while the hype surrounding him continues to grow, Lindblad's journey is anything but manufactured—it's a story of passion, precision, and perseverance that began long before Formula 1 scouts took notice. Lindblad's first taste of motorsport came on two wheels. At just three, he gave motocross a shot but quickly realized it wasn't for him. "When I was three years old, I had a go at motocross but didn't enjoy it, but then at five my dad bought me my first kart,' he recalled. That kart, a modest gift from a motorsport-enthusiast father, changed everything. What followed was an obsession with racing that would define the rest of his childhood. Karting wasn't just a hobby; it was a battlefield where Lindblad discovered his calling. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'The speed and close racing were exhilarating. From this early stage, my passion for karting was ignited and the seed was planted for me to push myself to be the very best I could be.' This fire was further fueled by a father who operated as both mentor and mechanic, insisting on independence and skill over shortcuts. While most prodigies choose between school and sport, Lindblad never settled for less in either. 'I'm extremely determined and motivated to do well academically… I have a great passion for Maths and Science,' he said, underscoring a work ethic that's as sharp in the classroom as it is on the track. Arvid's rise through karting was meteoric. British Champion at 11, WSK Super Master Series winner in OKJ class, and soon after, a coveted spot in the Red Bull Junior Team. After a face-to-face with Helmut Marko in Portimao, his trajectory was set. By 2022, he was making waves in Formula 4, and the following year, he dominated the Macau Grand Prix—securing pole by half a second and cruising to victory on one of the world's toughest street circuits. Red Bull wasted no time, promoting Lindblad to FIA Formula 3 in 2024. He responded with victories in Bahrain, Barcelona, and a home double at Silverstone. Fourth in the standings as a rookie earned him a fast-track ticket to Formula 2 in 2025, where he continued to impress—winning six races in Formula Regional Oceania and clinching a feature race win in Barcelona. Recognizing his maturity and consistency, the FIA granted Red Bull's request for an early Super Licence—weeks before Arvid turned 18. The governing body acknowledged he had 'consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition.' Now serving as a test driver for Racing Bulls, Lindblad got his first taste of F1 machinery at Imola in February 2025, piloting the 2023 AlphaTauri AT04. Whether performing at Red Bull Showruns or racing footballers at Elland Road, one thing is clear—Arvid Lindblad is not just the future; he's ready now. Also Read:
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
17-year-old Arvid Lindblad gets F1 exemption after Red Bull request
The FIA has granted a Formula 1 super license to Red Bull Junior racer Arvid Lindblad prior to his 18th birthday. The move comes following a request from his team for Lindblad, who will turn 18 on Aug. 8. Eighteen is the age traditionally required to hold a super license, however adjustments were made to the FIA International Sporting Code last year. The following line was added to the code: 'At the sole discretion of the FIA, a driver judged to have recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition may be granted a super license at the age of 17 years old.' The FIA announced Lindblad's new status following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Macau, China. 'After considering the information presented in support of this request, the World Council found that the driver has recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition and therefore approved the request,' a statement said. Lindblad now is eligible to compete in an F1 race weekend. Red Bull currently has four drivers under contract in F1. Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are part of the senior team, while Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson compete for the junior team.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Red Bull's Lindblad granted F1 licence ahead of 18th birthday
Formula One's governing body has granted Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad a super licence ahead of his 18th birthday in August after the team requested a dispensation. Formula One rules say drivers must be over 18, a measure introduced after Red Bull's now four-time world champion Max Verstappen was signed by Toro Rosso at 16 and made his race debut at 17 in 2015. Lindblad, born in Britain to a Swedish father and mother of Indian heritage, is seen as a hot prospect and the exemption will allow him to take part in F1 practice ahead of the August break. He has been tipped for an eventual seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull's Italy-based sister team which currently has Frenchman Isack Hadjar and New Zealand's Liam Lawson. READ: F1 announces 2026 calendar: Madrid to make Formula One debut; Imola scrapped Hadjar has impressed in his rookie season, with speculation he could be next to move up to the senior team alongside Verstappen if Yuki Tsunoda is not retained. Verstappen is also only a penalty point away from a one-race ban, meaning Red Bull needs to be prepared to shuffle around drivers. Lindblad, third overall in the Formula Two championship, already has enough points for a super licence with age his only barrier. The governing FIA's World Motor Sport Council, granting the request at a meeting in Macau, said Lindblad had 'recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition'. Mercedes was in a similar position with Kimi Antonelli last year but waited until he was 18, also in August, before giving him a practice debut. The Italian this season took the seat vacated by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
TimesLIVE
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Red Bull's Arvid Lindblad granted F1 licence ahead of 18th birthday
Formula One's governing body has granted Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad a super licence ahead of his 18th birthday in August after the team requested a dispensation. F1 rules say drivers must be over 18, a measure introduced after Red Bull's now four-times world champion Max Verstappen was signed by Toro Rosso at 16 and made his race debut at 17 in 2015. Lindblad, born in Britain to a Swedish father and mother of Indian heritage, is seen as a hot prospect and the exemption will allow him to take part in F1 practice ahead of the August break. He has been tipped for an eventual seat at Racing Bulls, Red Bull's Italy-based sister team which currently have Frenchman Isack Hadjar and New Zealand's Liam Lawson. Hadjar has impressed in his rookie season, with speculation he could be next to move up to the senior team alongside Verstappen if Yuki Tsunoda is not retained. Verstappen is also only a penalty point away from a one-race ban, meaning Red Bull need to be prepared to shuffle around drivers. Lindblad, third overall in the Formula Two championship, already has enough points for a super licence, with age his only barrier. The governing FIA's World Motor Sport Council, granting the request at a meeting in Macau, said Lindblad had 'recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition'. Mercedes were in a similar position with Kimi Antonelli last year but waited until he was 18, also in August, before giving him a practice debut. The Italian this season took the seat vacated by seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton.
