Arvid Lindblad kept his promise to Norris: “Lando, I told you we’d meet again in F1”. Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad will race for Racing Bulls in F1 in 2026.

F1 | Red Bull’s Arvid Lindblad keeps his promise to Lando Norris

The prophecy of Red Bull’s young talent is becoming reality: Arvid Lindblad will compete in Formula 1 with Racing Bulls next season, fulfilling a promise he made years ago to current F1 championship leader Lando Norris.

In 2026, there will be a major reshuffle within Red Bull’s driver line-ups. Yuki Tsunoda will step down to become the third driver at Milton Keynes, while the Austrian team will pair Max Verstappen with rookie Isack Hadjar. This opens a seat at Racing Bulls for the 2007-born Arvid Lindblad.

Currently sixth in the F2 championship with only one weekend remaining, the young Helmut Marko-backed driver is set to join the Faenza-based team in 2026. It is a dream come true for the British teenager, who a few years ago had a memorable encounter with Lando Norris, now one of the top contenders for the 2025 F1 drivers’ title.

Lindblad keeps his promise: Red Bull talent’s prophecy to Norris

We need to rewind to 2021. Lando Norris had just thrown his kart chassis inside a karting track, and Arvid Lindblad was there that day. Speaking to Motorsport.com, the future Racing Bulls driver recalled the curious encounter. “I told a friend, ‘I think I’m going to talk to Lando.’ He said I wouldn’t have the courage.”

“I didn’t know exactly what to say to Lando. I just said the first thing that came to mind: ‘I want you to remember me. We’ll meet again in five years!’” exclaimed the then 14-year-old Lindblad, already determined to climb the ranks to Formula 1. “I was a little inspired by the story of Lewis Hamilton and Ron Dennis, where Lewis said he would eventually drive one of his cars.”

“I’m sure many people say things like this, so at the time it probably didn’t mean much,” the young Londoner continued. “Even back then, I was convinced I would reach Formula 1 one day. I believed it when I spoke to Lando, and I still believe it today. It’s funny to look back on that moment now, because that promise is about to become reality. And it will be exactly five years later!”

When the lights go out in 2026, Lando Norris will look across the grid and see the confident teenager who once told him to “remember the name”. Mission accomplished, Arvid.