Latest news with #superlicence
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Formula One grants junior driver super licence
Formula One's governing body has granted Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad a super licence ahead of his 18th birthday. It comes after the Red Bull team requested an exemption for the young driver, with Formula One rules stipulating drivers must be over the age of 18. Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Red Bull's Arvid Lindblad granted F1 licence ahead of 18th birthday
Arvid Lindblad after Formula 2 Sprint Race at Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia in April 2025. Photo: JAKUB PORZYCKI / AFP 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-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 who 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. - Reuters
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Red Bull requests FIA superlicence exemption for F1 junior
While Red Bull Racing's reserve drivers and junior talents are currently in the spotlights due to Max Verstappen's eleven penalty points, it has emerged that Red Bull submitted a request for a superlicence exemption for Formula 2 racer Arvid Lindblad. According to information obtained by Red Bull's request will be discussed next week during the upcoming FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau. Advertisement It's important to note, however, that this request is not directly related to Verstappen's penalty situation and was submitted well before the Dutchman's tally of penalty points hit 11, as Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko clarified. Lindblad is currently competing in Formula 2 and meets all other requirements for a superlicence – the document required to take part in official F1 sessions. He has accumulated enough superlicence points in junior formulas, although drivers can formally receive it only once they turn 18. This rule was introduced following Max Verstappen's remarkably early F1 debut at the age of 17, when he didn't yet have a driving licence. To prevent similar situations, the FIA implemented a minimum age as part of the superlicence system, which aspiring F1 drivers must now meet. Following in Antonelli's footsteps? Last year, however, the door was slightly reopened for talents under 18, when Mercedes requested an exemption for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The process of permitting the Italian to test its F1 machinery was similar to the steps Red Bull is taking now. Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes F1 W15 Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes F1 W15 Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images Advertisement It led to a revision of the FIA International Sporting Code, specifically article 13.1.2. Appendix L, which now states: "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 superlicence at the age of 17 years old." Since Lindblad has already earned enough points before his 18th birthday and currently sits third in the Formula 2 standings as a rookie – with two race wins, including the feature race in Barcelona – he appears to qualify under this clause. The FIA will discuss Red Bull's request next week, when it is on the agenda for the meeting in Macau. If approved, Lindblad would be allowed to participate in F1 practice sessions and could even serve as a stand-in for one of the regular drivers. This could offer Red Bull an extra option given its current situation as Verstappen is teetering on the edge of a one-race ban from the series. If the Dutchman receives a suspension and Red Bull decides to promote one of the Racing Bulls drivers, Lindblad could theoretically replace either Isack Hadjar or Liam Lawson at the sister team. Advertisement In addition to Lindblad (if the FIA grants the exemption), Red Bull still has Ayumu Iwasa available as a reserve driver. Read Also: Who could replace Max Verstappen at Red Bull if he lands F1 race ban? How Max Verstappen earned 11 penalty points in 11 months Lindblad turns 18 on August 8, a few days after the Hungarian Grand Prix, meaning the British-Swedish driver would be eligible for his superlicence during the F1 summer break regardless. To read more articles visit our website.
