The recent meeting of the FIA World Motor Sport Council in Macau brought an early birthday gift for Red Bull F1 junior Arvid Lindblad. The council officially approved the team’s request for an exception, allowing Lindblad to receive his F1 Super Licence before his 18th birthday.
They acknowledged Lindblad’s efforts to maintain consistency in his performance in single-seater formula racing.
F3: A rookie on the rise
Lindblad made his Formula 3 debut in 2024 with PREMA Racing, where he finished in 4th place overall, securing four victories and multiple podiums. His best performances included Bahrain, Silverstone, Imola, and Barcelona, where he secured his first-ever F3 pole and converted it into a win.
F2: Breaking records
Currently, Lindblad races in Formula 2 for Campos Racing. The driver displayed impeccable performance from the beginning of the season. He made history by being the youngest F2 winner in the Jeddah sprint, and took a feature race victory in Barcelona from pole position.
The driver’s outstanding performance in Barcelona showcased his calibre, as he maintained the lead from turn one and managed tire degradation to convert his pole position into a feature race win.
After six rounds, he has consistently finished in the top 10, third in the F2 standings with 79 points. He trails Alex Dunne by 8.
What does this mean?
The FIA’s decision reflects their confidence in the Red Bull Junior driver, showing their readiness to welcome him to Formula 1 before his 18th birthday.
This also allows Lindblad to appear in future FP1 sessions and opens the door for Red Bull Racing to bring in a number two driver who can potentially keep up with the car and leader Max Verstappen, while bringing in good points for the team.
After Kimi Antonelli, Lindblad becomes the next teenage prodigy, catapulting his way into Formula 1. As he turns 18 this summer, it opens a door of possibilities for him to step into a Formula 1 car come 2026.
