17-year-old Arvid Lindblad gets F1 exemption after Red Bull request
The FIA has granted a Formula 1 super license to Red Bull Junior racer Arvid Lindblad prior to his 18th birthday. The move comes following a request from his team for Lindblad, who will turn 18 on Aug. 8. Eighteen is the age traditionally required to hold a super license, however adjustments were made to the FIA International Sporting Code last year. The following line was added to the code:
'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 super license at the age of 17 years old.'
The FIA announced Lindblad's new status following a meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Macau, China.
'After considering the information presented in support of this request, the World Council found that the driver has recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition and therefore approved the request,' a statement said.
Lindblad now is eligible to compete in an F1 race weekend.
Red Bull currently has four drivers under contract in F1. Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are part of the senior team, while Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson compete for the junior team.
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