Despite a five-place grid penalty dropping him to P14, Arvid Lindblad was pleased to secure P9 in qualifying at the 2026 F1 United States GP after a mixed start to the weekend.
The Racing Bulls rookie arrived at Austin with another grid penalty after the team installed a sixth internal combustion engine (ICE) of the season, exceeding the permitted four. Lindblad had previously taken a similar back-of-the-grid penalty at the Round 16 race in Malaysia.
Making his first appearance at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), Lindblad finished P9 in FP1 before finishing behind teammate Liam Lawson in both FP2 and FP3. However, he bounced back in qualifying, with both Racing Bulls drivers securing Q3 spots. Lindblad went on to set a 1:36.049 on his sole run to qualify P9, while Lawson stayed in the garage as planned to save tyres and ensure Lindblad secured the higher position due to his penalty.
Lawson classified P10 but will start Sunday’s race from P9, with Lindblad dropping to P14.
Lindblad on his qualifying performance at 2026 F1 United States GP
Speaking in the print media pen after qualifying at the 2026 F1 United States GP, Lindblad expressed mixed emotions over his P9 result, which was overshadowed by his grid penalty.
“Yeah, I guess so. But at the same time, I knew coming into the weekend I would take the penalty. It’s a bit of a shame, it was only two races ago, I was taking a penalty already. But it is what it is, you know, that’s just the nature of how things are with the new engines this year.
“But I’m very happy with today. It’s not been an easy week, I’ve been slower than Liam in every session so far, I think eight or nine-tenths slower than him in the first run of Q1. So to be ahead at the end of Q2 when it mattered, I’m obviously very happy with.”
Despite the grid drop, the 19-year-old led the midfield runners in qualifying, finishing ahead of his Alpine, Audi, and Haas rivals.
“But at the same time, you know, looking ahead to tomorrow now because that’s where the points are scored, and I think on this track, overtaking as possible. So just being with a good pace will help us to come through,” he added, as he aims to help Racing Bulls strengthen their hold in fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Racing Bulls’ strategic Q3 call
With Lawson sitting out Q3, Lindblad acknowledged that the team’s strategy was justified, despite missing the opportunity to improve his qualifying position with a second Q3 run.
“Yeah, I mean, I think it makes sense, you know, what we did. For sure, I would have loved to have another go. I mean, we both had an extra set left, and we were close, I think, to P8 in Q2, but realistically, the top teams always pull another gear when we get to Q3.
“So realistically we would have both been in the same position we are now, maybe gone half a second or six-tenths quicker. But, yeah, I mean, I was happy with Q2.”
Lindblad seeks honest feedback
Visiting COTA for the first time, Lindblad said he struggled to match Lawson’s pace, with the gap between the teammates particularly noticeable in Q1, run 1. The Kiwi did a 1:35.662, while the Brit was on a 1:36.519.
Ultimately, he finished the session in P11, 0.093s behind Lawson in P8.
“Well, I mean, I did the first run of Q1, and I was, whatever, eight or nine tenths slower than him,” he shared, explaining why he had asked his engineer for more direct feedback after Q1.
“And they told me a few corners, and then I did the second lap, and I don’t think he even went out for a second run. Or if he did, he did a very similar lap time. And he was a tenth quicker than me, and obviously that was my second lap run and I think his first lap. And I was just like, you know, they were telling me the lap’s good, and I was like, ‘well, I’m slower than him, how can the lap be good? You know, be honest with me, I need to find more.’ But I think the wind changed a bit, so they said I was just slower on all the straights on that lap. So, I don’t know. But…”
Learning COTA’s tricky sections
Lindblad’s difficulties were also evident in FP3, when his engineer reminded him over team radio to follow the team’s instructions through Turns 8 and 9.
“Yeah, I’ve been struggling a little bit this week. Obviously it’s a new track for me, so there’s been a few challenges on the track, a few, you know, not easy corners and some of the compromises and stuff. I’ve… actually there’s just been a few sections I haven’t been particularly competitive in, and we discussed some stuff. I tried to make a step, obviously.
“My engineer, Pierre, wasn’t happy that I’d done enough of a step, so he told me off a little bit. But that’s fine, I appreciate the honesty in the end, you know, where that’s the only way you can move forward. But I think I nailed that section in Quali, and that’s what matters.”
Asked about which part of the circuit he found to be the most challenging, Lindblad revealed:
“Yeah, it was the flow through 8-9. I just hadn’t understood the approach properly there.”
Lindblad: “It’s an incredible circuit”
Despite the challenges of adapting to a new circuit, Lindblad has enjoyed his first COTA experience, praising both its high-speed and technical layout and how the new power units feel around the track.
“Yeah, it’s been amazing. I mean, obviously it’s my first time here. I think it’s an incredible circuit. And honestly, with these new engines, it’s felt like that… I mean it’s felt like a normal track, which I think is really cool. And I think, based on what you said, everyone’s been happy, everyone’s been enjoying it, and I think that’s nice, after, you know, there’s been a few very special tracks that we haven’t quite got the full experience of this year. But the fact that I came here for the first time and got to really feel the proper flow of it was very special. And it was really quick, it was very cool.”
However, while many drivers have enjoyed the circuit, concerns over its bumpy surface have continued this year. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen previously highlighted the physical impact of the bumps, saying that they caused back discomfort during the 2025 United States GP.
When asked whether the bumps have bothered him so far, Lindblad jokingly responded:
“A few bumps. But no, I’m young, I’ve got a fresh spine, so it doesn’t bother me too much.”
