Campos Racing’s Arvid Lindblad’s dominant performance during Qualifying at the F2 Spanish GP saw the young Briton secure his maiden pole position in the series. Throughout the triple-header, an in-form Lindblad has shown signs of great pace. Since Bahrain, the 17 year-old has gone to score points in every race since then. Despite losing out on a podium twice in Monaco, Lindblad’s current run of consecutive point-scoring races has brought him to P6 in the Driver Standings—ahead of teammate Pepe Martí.
After topping the timings during Free Practice, Lindblad would go on to secure pole position and become the youngest pole-sitter in F2 history. With a Jeddah Sprint Race win under his belt, Lindblad will have his eyes set on securing his first Feature Race win on Sunday.
Speaking to Pit Debrief and other media outlets during the Post-Qualifying Press Conference, the Briton reflected on his Qualifying performance and spoke about his mindset ahead of Sunday.
“Yeah, it feels really good. I feel like there’s been, it’s been a long time coming.”, Lindblad said when asked about how he felt clinching pole position.
Delighted to secure his first pole position at Campos’ home race as well, the Briton was happy to have put the lap together when it counted.
“There’s been many sessions so far this year. I feel like we’ve been right in the game but it’s kind of slipped away in the last moment. So yeah, very happy to finally get it and home for the team as well.”
Quick and comfortable from the get-go
Lindblad explained that feeling comfortable in the car since Free Practice fuelled him with confidence. Knowing he had the car to deliver a good result, the Briton knew it was ultimately up to him to put everything together during Qualifying.
“Yeah, I mean [Free Practice] gave me a lot of confidence. We had a good package. Yeah, like you said from the first lap, the pace was good. I felt comfortable from the beginning.”
“So I knew that we, the car was good going into [Qualifying]. It was just about me, yeah, just doing the job and yeah, very happy with how it was. I think the race will be very different.”
Noting that the races could shake up the pecking order, Lindblad highlighted that tyre management on a high-degradation circuit like Barcelona will be key factor to executing a perfect race this weekend. However, the Briton is satisfied with the performance they have shown thus far.
Lindblad added: “I think it’s known here that it’s a very high degradation circuit. So yeah, things can still be very different in the race but definitely it’s a good sign that the pace is strong.”
Confident in his abilities to secure pole
Headed into Qualifying, the Briton explained that the soft tyres were a big unknown. Pushing extra hard on his first push-lap, that was the only way they could understand how the soft tyres behaved throughout a Qualifying lap. Nonetheless, Lindblad’s first push-lap catapulted him to the top with a 1:25.492—putting two tenths between himself and Invicta Racing’s Leonardo Fornaroli in P2 at the time.
After a storming first lap, the 17 year-old explained knew he was going to be fast enough. When asked about how confident he felt putting it on pole, Lindblad reiterated it was all about finding more lap time and putting the lap needed to get him on the front-row.
“Yeah, I mean on the first lap, I knew I had to push quite hard. It was kind of a bit of an unknown because it was the first lap on the soft.”
“But then, I saw already after round one that the speed was strong and it was just about doing the job again on set two and just focussing on doing all my bits right.”
“And yeah, just did that again on the second run and was able to improve my time and take pole.”
Eyes on the prize. His first F2 Feature Race win.
Lindblad is no stranger to finding success during a Spanish GP weekend. In 2024, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was a track where the Briton secured one of his four race wins in F3 last year. Looking to replicate his F3 Feature Race win once again, Lindblad is pleased and comfortable with the package Campos has given him to fight for the win on Sunday.
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it. I think we’re in a good position. We know the car is good and I feel quite comfortable and at home on this circuit.”
“I went well here last year. So yeah, I’m looking forward to Sunday and hopefully we can have a good result.”
“Its a bit of a shame” – Lindblad on losing Barcelona on the calendar
2025 will mark the last year F1, F2, and F3 will race in Barcelona—as Madrid is set to make its debut on the calendar in 2026. A track where F2 has raced at since its inaugural season and a venue often younger drivers test at, many have expressed their disappointment about seeing the track leave the calendar. Lindblad called it “a shame” to see a key pre-season venue and motorsport hub in Europe leave the racing calendar.
“To be honest, I didn’t know it was gone. So it’s a bit of a shame. I mean, it’s a track that we go to a lot.”
“Obviously, pre-season testing is done here. And yeah, it’s a big hub for motorsport in Europe. So yeah, it’s a shame to see it go.”
Racing for Campos, Lindblad knows winning at the Spanish GP would be extremely meaningful to the Spanish-suit. However, when asked how meaningful it would be to claim Campos’ first modern F2 era win this weekend, Lindblad made it clear: he doesn’t care where—he just wants to win.
“Yeah, definitely. I mean, to be honest, I don’t really care what track I win at. I just want to win.”
However, Lindblad still noted that winning this weekend would be an additional bonus as a Campos driver.
“So I think it would mean a lot to the team, obviously, winning at home. So that’s nice for them. But yeah, I enjoy the circuit. So I’m looking forward to Sunday.”
Tyre preservation throughout a lap
Track temperatures were extremely hot throughout Qualifying. At a track where tyre degradation is high, the addition of hot temperates definitely did not help tyre life throughout a lap. The Briton explained that ensuring he had enough tyre throughout a lap did not come easy. Highlighting tyre degradation as the biggest challenge many drivers will face this weekend, Lindblad believes that learnings from the Sprint Race won’t be carried forward to Sunday.
“Yeah, no. It was hot today. To even just have the tyre stay through the whole lap wasn’t easy. So yeah, it will be a challenge this weekend.”
“Sunday will be different because it’s early in the… Well, [the race will be at] 10 o’clock, so it’ll be a bit cooler. So yeah, maybe tomorrow’s data won’t be as representative for Sunday.”
However, the 17 year-old re-emphasised that at this circuit, tyre degradation will always play a key role in how a race will unfold.
“So we’ll see. But for sure, like always on this circuit, tyre degradation will be a big factor.”
A familiar track to all drivers
At a track where, no matter the amount of experience a driver might have in a series, they would have all driven around the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before. Heading to back to European tracks, rookies in a series often find more performance due to their familiarity. Echoing the thoughts of PREMA Racing’s Sebastian Montoya and DAMS’ Kush Maini, Lindblad added briefly on how racing at a familiar track like Barcelona brings the pack closer together to have a “close and exciting” weekend.
“No, not that much. I think it’s kind of been covered. But yeah, I mean, we do testing here. So the track’s known extremely well by teams and drivers.”
“So that always makes it close and exciting. Just a big part because of that as well.”
Focus and attention from the Formula 1 paddock
When asked by Pit Debrief about the pressures and attention that come with racing alongside the Formula 1 paddock, Lindblad explained that the only expectations he feels comes from himself. Acknowledging the sheer amount of preparation that might tire some out, the Briton expressed his fondness for back-to-back races—believing it is a good way of finding momentum.
“Well, for me, I enjoy the back-to-back weekends. I feel like you get into a nice rhythm. Obviously, it’s a bit tiring, but still, I enjoy it. And it’s good to get into a nice momentum.”
Currently backed by the Red Bull Junior Team, Lindblad looks to be in a promising position to secure his future in Formula 1. The 17 year-old shared that his drive comes from within, and will continue to remain focused on himself.
“And then from the Formula 1 team side, I mean, I’ve started this journey since I was five, having the goal and ambition of being a Formula 1 World Champion. So I’m here for myself, so I don’t really feel pressure from anyone else.”
“I expect a lot from myself, and that’s where I feel the pressure.”
Tyre management biggest disadvantage as a rookie
As one of ten rookies who stepped up to F2 in 2025, tyre management has been a factor Lindblad and other rookies have had to master. When asked if experienced veterans have an edge in tyre management, Lindblad acknowledged that it’s a factor that puts him and other rookies at a slight disadvantage.
“Yeah, for sure. Having the experience helps. And you could say it’s a bit of a disadvantage for me.”
However, now five rounds in, the young Briton knows this is no longer an excuse. With some experience under his belt, Lindblad feels that he has gained a solid understanding of tyre management and it’s becoming less of a critical disadvantage.
“But we’re fortunate that the testing was done here. So I’ve already got a bit of knowledge of sort of time management in an F2 on this circuit. And then also now we’re getting towards the middle of the season.”
“So we’ve done a few races now, I’m starting to get an understanding of the tyres. So for sure, having the experience helps, but I think it’s getting to a point now where it’s not as critical.”
Starting P10 for the Sprint Race later today, Lindblad will be hoping to for a drive through the field to score some valuable points for his championship charge.
