From Childhood Dreams to F1 Reality
By graduating to Racing Bulls in 2026, Britain’s Arvid Lindblad has delivered on a childhood dream that he was convinced he would achieve. Speaking exclusively to Autosport, the 18-year-old reveals the journey that led him to one of the most prestigious seats in Formula 1. Lindblad, born in Surrey, will be the fifth British racer on the 2026 grid and the 20th Red Bull junior driver to make it to F1. His rise through the ranks has been rapid, but the dream of reaching F1 has been a constant in his life since he first sat in a kart at the age of five. “It’s been my dream to be in F1 since I started this journey,” Lindblad tells Autosport. “Having that come true is very special.”
A Diverse Background and Early Passion
Lindblad’s heritage is a blend of Swedish, through his father, and Indian, through his mother. This diverse background has shaped his perspective and given him a strong sense of identity. “My paternal grandparents still live in Sweden, so I visit them as often as I can,” he says. “My mum’s parents lived in the UK and held on to their traditional Indian roots and culture. I’ve always enjoyed eating my grandma’s amazing Indian food and immersing myself in the rich Indian culture.” Lindblad’s early passion for motorsports began when his father, Stefan, introduced him to a motocross bike at the age of three. However, it was karting that captured his heart at five, and from that moment, he knew he wanted to pursue a career in racing. “I didn’t come from a motorsport background, but it was a passion I drove myself,” he explains. “From the moment I started, I never envisioned a future where I wasn’t in F1. I always believed that I would be in F1.”
A Promising Start and Family Support
Lindblad’s early success in karting was a clear sign that he had the potential to make it in the sport. He won the LGM Series and the British Championship in the IAME Cadet series in 2017, and this success propelled him to the European scene, where he continued to excel. His parents, despite their initial reservations, supported his passion. “My mum was concerned about the cost and the time it would take away from my education,” he recalls. “But she saw how much I enjoyed it and how hard I was working, so she became more supportive over time.” His father, who comes from a small village in Smaland, Sweden, and his mother, whose family faced significant challenges during the Partition of India, instilled in him a strong work ethic and a sense of gratitude. “I’m very fortunate to have the opportunities I have today, and I try to stay humble and down to earth,” he says.
A Bold Prediction and a Critical Encounter
One of the most memorable moments in Lindblad’s journey was his encounter with McLaren driver Lando Norris in 2021. At the time, Lindblad was just 14 years old and had a brief interaction with Norris at a karting track. “I told my friend, ‘I think I’m going up to Lando,’ and he said I didn’t have the guts. But I approached Lando and said, ‘I want you to remember me. I’m going to see you in five years.’” This bold prediction, inspired by Lewis Hamilton’s famous encounter with Ron Dennis, was met with a polite response from Norris. However, it was a testament to Lindblad’s unwavering belief in his own destiny. “I had this belief I would make it to F1 when I said that to Lando, and I have that same sort of belief today,” he says. “It’s a funny story to look back on, because it will become true. It will be five years.”
The Red Bull Junior Programme and Rapid Progress
Lindblad’s career took a significant turn in 2021 when his father received a call from Dr. Helmut Marko, the head of Red Bull’s junior programme. “We were at breakfast in the hotel when the phone started ringing,” he remembers. “My dad had a bit of a skip in his step, and he said Helmut Marko wanted to meet us.” This meeting marked the beginning of Lindblad’s association with Red Bull, and he credits the programme for his rapid development. “I’ve always had a really good relationship with Dr. Marko,” he says. “We’ve always been very honest with each other, which has helped me develop.” Lindblad’s performance in Italian F4 in 2023, where he took third place and won the prestigious Macau Grand Prix, further solidified his place in the Red Bull programme. His success convinced Marko and Red Bull that he was ready for the next step, and private testing and simulator work prepared him for F1.
Preparing for the Big Stage
As Lindblad prepares to step into the F1 arena in 2026, he acknowledges that he is not 100% ready, but he is confident in his ability to adapt and learn. “I’ve progressed through the ranks very quickly, so I’m used to being thrown in the deep end and having to find a way to figure it out,” he says. The 2026 regulation changes add an element of uncertainty, but Lindblad sees this as an opportunity. “It is a clean slate for everyone with the new cars, so you could say it’s an advantage to come in now,” he explains. “But there are two sides to the coin. F1 will be very different to what we have now, so I still think the experienced guys will have an advantage. There’s a lot to learn, and I need to just focus on that and getting the best out of myself.” Lindblad is determined to emerge as a better driver by the end of his first F1 season. “What’s going to make 2026 a good year is that by working hard and learning a lot, I’m going to come out a much better driver than I went in,” he concludes. In 2026, Lindblad will face his biggest challenge yet, but he has already proven one thing to himself: he has made it to F1, just as he always envisioned.
