Lindblad reflects on ‘very fast’ journey to F1 after learning ‘immense amount’ in F2 and F3

Arvid Lindblad was all smiles when he arrived at the Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday, shortly after news of his promotion to the Formula 1 grid for next season.

Earlier this week, Red Bull confirmed the full 2026 driver line-ups for their two teams, with 18-year-old Lindblad earning a spot alongside Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.

It comes after a rapid rise through the ranks for the British-Swedish racer, who made his single-seater debut in 2022 and has progressed from F4 to F3 and F2 over the last three years.

Asked how it feels to be announced as an F1 driver, Lindblad said: “It feels good! I’m obviously very happy now the news is out. I’m very much looking forward to it next year.”

Lindblad was also reminded about a now-viral video from his go-karting days when he approached McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris and declared that he would join him on the grid in five years’ time – a promise he has kept.

“It’s come quite quickly; I’ve gone through the ranks very fast,” Lindblad continued.

“It’s a funny story with Lando, I just remember seeing him and it’s the first thing that came to mind. When I started this journey when I was five, I believed I could be in F1. I had that same belief when I was 14 and I have that same belief today.

“I’m very happy that I stuck to the timeline and it’s a nice little story now.”

With his rise to F1 almost complete, Lindblad took a moment to reflect on what he has learned along the way – especially in the F3 and F2 championships.

“I’ve learnt an immense amount,” he said. “When I stepped into F3 I had just done one year of F4, so I was very new to everything. I’ve had to make a massive step on all sides, on everything, over the last two years.

“To choose one [thing] is not easy. I think probably the biggest thing is just how little track time we have and having to learn to deal with that.

“I had to make a big step in F3, I’ve had to make another big step this year. Just because of how fast I’ve come through, every weekend I’ve had to be focusing on improving myself.”

Holding sixth in the 2025 F2 standings ahead of this weekend’s finale in Abu Dhabi, where he will also make another FP1 outing with Red Bull, Lindblad is now determined to sign off his junior career in style.

“I’m really focused on just trying to finish the year strong,” added Lindblad, who has scored two wins and four podiums this season.

“It’s not been the best year. I’m happy that we sort of rescued the weekend in Qatar [with fourth in the Feature Race], but it’s not been the easiest.

“That’s my main focus at the moment, to try and finish the year strong, have a good result here and then focus about next year from next week. All that matters to me now is F2.”