Who is Arvid Lindblad? The 17-year-old phenom Red Bull believes could be F1's next superstar

Time of India

a day ago

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.
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'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.
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'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.
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