Arvid Lindblad is the only rookie in Formula 1 in 2026. After a new crop of talent broke through into the premier class last year, the British-Swedish driver is on his own this season. However, he already gained the necessary self-confidence during his debut race in Australia: with an eighth-place finish, he immediately scored points for Racing Bulls. Initially, he looked a bit awkward, but with three Grands Prix to his name, Lindblad seems to be slowly finding his feet.
Read more VIDEO | Red Bull working on new promotional stunt, races F1 car over metro rails
In the lead-up to the Japanese Grand Prix, Lindblad was asked how he looks back on his F1 start. “It’s not easy for me to know exactly how to handle this, because it’s my first season in Formula 1,” he admitted to Motorsport.com. “I have to find the right balance between learning as much as possible and continuing to improve myself. And at the same time, I must not forget to relax,” he emphasized. “Because if you go full throttle with everything, you’ll be exhausted by the tenth race, and that’s obviously not the intention.”
The extremely busy F1 calendar has often proven to be a pitfall for rookies. For example, Kimi Antonelli, the current championship leader, hit a slump in form during the European season last year. For Lindblad, it is primarily a matter of finding balance. “After the last race, I took a day off, but after that, I was straight back in the simulator to prepare for this week. I have analyzed China and looked at what we can do better. It’s really a big change with the cars and engines this year. But in Tokyo, I also took a few days off to rest for a bit.” Another reality of F1 life: “Unfortunately, I haven’t been home for a few months,” Lindblad added. “Since the testing days, I’ve basically been on the road, so it’s nice that I can go home for a while during the spring break.”
Read more COLUMN: You can’t buy world titles
‘My life is pretty cool’
Although the 18-year-old driver failed to score points in Shanghai, he certainly impressed the team management. Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer regularly praises Lindblad’s work ethic and the way he adapts rapidly to the complex 2026 F1 cars. “These first races have given my self-confidence a significant boost,” the driver said. “I’ve shown that I have talent, that I’m fast, and what I’m capable of. I think I’ve put in some pretty strong performances. But at the same time, there are still plenty of points to work on,” he admitted honestly. “That’s to be expected from an 18-year-old rookie. I’m going to work very hard during this break to return in an even better position.”
The pressure of Formula 1 – and of Racing Bulls in particular, where the line-up is rarely set in stone – seems to affect him less in the meantime. “I’m living my dream, so I don’t feel any pressure,” Lindblad explained. “When I was five, I dreamed of making it to Formula 1. Now I’m one of the 22 drivers racing in the fastest cars in the world and visiting the most amazing places. I could never have imagined that I would already be traveling to Tokyo at eighteen. My peers are, in fact, in their first year of university. So yes, my life is pretty cool. I’m grabbing this opportunity with both hands, enjoying it, and doing my absolute best.”
Read more Doriane Pin hints at first F1 test with Mercedes: ‘Simulator work is going very well’
Read everything about the Miami GP here
