F1 rookie Lindblad wants to take his own path to the top

BAKI: In his debut season with Racing Bull's sister team, Formula One newcomer Arvid Lindblad has set Max Verstappen as his benchmark but intends to chart his own course to the top. The 19-year-old Briton spoke to Reuters at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, stating he hopes to eventually emulate the Dutch four-time world champion. Lindblad emphasized that he is focused on himself and learning, with no rush to step up to a top team.

Born in 2007, Lindblad began competitive karting in 2015, the same year Verstappen made his Formula One debut with Toro Rosso. He progressed from Formula Four in 2022, F3 in 2024, to F2 in 2025 and Formula One this year. Having been granted a super-license at 17 – an exception to the rule introduced following Verstappen's early debut – Lindblad has showcased his talent by finishing in the points nine times out of the last 10 races.

Despite some mistakes, including practice crashes and a contact with teammate Liam Lawson at a safety car restart in Azerbaijan, Lindblad remains optimistic. He credits his strong season to the fast car he has been driving, but also acknowledges the significant learning curve of being a rookie in new cars and engines. Verstappen, who moved up to the main Red Bull team five races into his second season and won his debut, is unlikely to make a similar move for Lindblad, who currently races under a British license.

Lindblad, who proudly represents his multicultural heritage with all three flags on his helmet – the Union Jack, Swedish flag, and Indian tricolour – is aware of the attention this brings as a role model. However, his immediate focus remains on development and using his platform in Formula One for good.