Arvid Lindblad has a special ‘connection’ to Lewis Hamilton (Image: Getty)
Arvid Lindblad is one step closer to making his way onto the F1 grid after the FIA approved Red Bull’s request for a super license ahead of his 18th birthday. The teenage sensation dreams of succeeding Max Verstappen as the team’s ace, but has a longstanding connection to rival Lewis Hamilton. Lindblad is already a two-time winner in his rookie Formula Two and remains firmly in contention for the title.
If he continues on his current trajectory, he is believed to be a sure bet for one of the two Racing Bulls seats in 2026, meaning he would rival Hamilton and Verstappen on the F1 grid. By competing against Hamilton, Lindblad would be facing off against one of his childhood heroes. During an interview with the Inside Line Podcast earlier this year, he confessed that the legendary Brit was an inspiration as a fellow man of colour.
“Yeah, I think that’s probably a good way to put it,” he explained. “I’ve always felt some sense of connection to Lewis. Obviously, being a man of colour at a time when I started watching Formula One, he was the only one really.
“For some reason, I also thought it was cool that he started racing in Formula 1 in 2007, and I was born in 2007! If I’m being honest, he was the one who I always felt quite connected with and like you say, when I started really following the sport, he was the one who was taking it by the reins and winning.”
Max Verstappen is the reigning F1 world champion (Image: Getty)
Stay up-to-date with the latest F1 news Join us on WhatsApp
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“What he’s been able to achieve has been remarkable, and he’ll always be known as one of the greats of the sport. Max is…maybe he’s not now up and coming, but he’s still very young and I think he’s just extremely impressive.
“It seems like whatever he does, whatever he gets in, whatever situation he’s put in, he’s able to make the best of it and just be extremely fast. I think the best way to describe Max at the moment is he seems to have no weaknesses, and he’s just a bit better than everyone else.”