Red Bull`s young British driver, Arvid Lindblad, who is 17 years old, has been awarded an F1 super license. This follows a request by the team for a special exemption for their protege, which was granted by the FIA.
An F1 super license is a mandatory requirement for competing in Formula 1. These licenses are typically not issued until a driver reaches the age of 18. Furthermore, a driver must accumulate a sufficient number of points through strong results in other single-seater series over the preceding three years to qualify.
However, a revised rule introduced last year permits the governing body to grant dispensation to a 17-year-old. This is possible if the driver has “recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition.”
Lindblad is currently competing in his debut season in Formula 2, the primary support series for F1. He holds third place in the standings and has already secured two race wins. Earlier this year, he won the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, which would have provided him with enough qualifying points for a super license upon turning 18. In his sole F3 season in 2024, he finished fourth.
Lindblad`s 18th birthday is on August 8.
Red Bull reportedly made the request for Lindblad`s exemption several weeks ago. The application was reviewed and discussed by the FIA`s World Motor Sport Council during its latest meeting held in Macau on Tuesday, marking the council`s first session since late February.
An official statement from the FIA confirmed: “The FIA has received a request to grant a super licence to Arvid Lindblad prior to his 18th birthday. 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.”
Could Lindblad Participate in an F1 Session This Season?
The early approval of the super license means Lindblad, who was born in Surrey and has Swedish and Indian heritage, is now eligible to take part in official F1 sessions. This could happen if Red Bull, which operates two teams (Red Bull Racing and RB), decides to offer the 17-year-old track time.
Formula 1 regulations require all teams to field less experienced drivers in two Free Practice 1 sessions per car throughout the season. Red Bull previously utilized Japan`s Ayumu Iwasa for a P1 session at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April.
While Red Bull`s application for Lindblad`s super license was submitted some time ago, preceding the recent Spanish Grand Prix, the timing of the approval is notable. It comes just before a critical two-race period for Max Verstappen, the senior Red Bull team`s lead driver. Verstappen is currently just one penalty point away from a race ban following his collision with George Russell in Spain.
To avoid a suspension, Verstappen must navigate the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix this weekend and the Austrian Grand Prix on June 29 without incurring any further penalty points. He is set to receive some relief as two points are scheduled to expire from his license on June 30.
If Red Bull Racing were to require a temporary replacement for Verstappen for a single race, one of the drivers from their sister team, Racing Bulls (currently Isack Hadjar or Liam Lawson), would be the most likely candidate to step in.
However, such a scenario would subsequently create a temporary vacancy at the RB team.
Ayumu Iwasa, aged 23, is a more experienced reserve option for Red Bull, having already participated in Friday practice sessions for both the main Red Bull team and RB. With his super license now approved, Lindblad has also become a formal alternative for such opportunities.
Marcus Prine