Red Bull`s promising young British driver, Arvid Lindblad, has been awarded an F1 Super Licence. The 17-year-old received this essential credential after the team successfully requested a special exemption from the FIA, Formula 1`s governing body.
A Super Licence is a mandatory requirement for any driver wishing to compete in Formula 1. Typically, drivers must be at least 18 years old and accumulate a specific number of points earned through their performance in lower racing categories over the preceding three years to qualify.
However, a rule modification introduced last year allows the FIA to grant a dispensation to 17-year-old drivers. This is possible if the driver has “recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition.”
Lindblad`s performance has evidently met this criterion. In his debut season in Formula 2, the primary feeder series for F1, he currently holds third place and has secured two victories. Earlier this year, he won the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, which would have provided him with sufficient qualification points once he reached 18. He also finished fourth in his sole season competing in Formula 3 in 2024. Lindblad is due to turn 18 on August 8th.
Red Bull reportedly submitted their request for Lindblad`s exemption several weeks prior. The application was reviewed and approved by the FIA`s World Motor Sport Council during their recent meeting held in Macau on Tuesday, marking the council`s first session since late February.
An FIA statement confirmed the decision, reading: “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.”
The early awarding of the Super Licence means Lindblad, who was born in Surrey and has Swedish and Indian heritage, is now eligible to participate in official Formula 1 sessions if Red Bull, who operate two F1 teams, wishes to give him experience. F1 regulations mandate that all teams run inexperienced drivers in two Practice One sessions per car throughout the season. Red Bull previously used Japan`s Ayumu Iwasa in a Bahrain Grand Prix P1 session in April.
While Red Bull`s application for Lindblad`s early licence was unrelated, its approval comes just before a potentially critical period for their lead driver, Max Verstappen. Verstappen is currently only one penalty point away from a race ban following an incident with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen must complete the upcoming Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix without receiving any further penalty points to avoid a suspension. The situation eases slightly on June 30th, when two points are removed from his licence. If the senior Red Bull team needed a temporary substitute for Verstappen, the most likely candidates would be Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar, who race for the sister team, Racing Bulls. This scenario would, in turn, create a temporary vacancy at Racing Bulls.
Ayumu Iwasa, 23, is Red Bull`s more experienced reserve driver, having already driven in Friday practice sessions for both Red Bull teams. With his newly acquired Super Licence, Arvid Lindblad is now also formally available as an alternative option for potential F1 outings.
Gilbert Pendleton