Arvid Lindblad has obtained a Formula 1 Super Licence before turning eighteen. During today’s World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau, the International Federation reviewed Red Bull’s request regarding Lindblad, which included an application for the issuance of a Super Licence under exceptional circumstances. Last year, a clause was added to the International Sporting Code that allows the FIA, at its discretion, to grant a Super Licence in the case of a particularly meritorious career path.
The International Federation examined Lindblad’s career and approved the request. “After reviewing the information submitted in support of this request,” reads the FIA statement, “the World Council found that the driver has recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding skill and maturity in single-seater championships, and accepted the request.”
Interestingly, the rule prohibiting the issuance of a Super Licence to a minor was introduced in 2015 after Max Verstappen made his Formula 1 debut at just seventeen years old. The FIA wanted to curb the trend of ever-younger drivers entering the sport. However, since last year, the organization granted itself the possibility of evaluating exceptional cases by introducing Article 13.1.2, Appendix L, of the International Sporting Code. In Lindblad’s case, it’s a matter of fewer than two months, as he will turn eighteen on August 8, but during this time Red Bull might need him.
In the background is the possibility that Verstappen could be forced to miss a Grand Prix (if he picks up a penalty point on his Super Licence during the Canadian or Austrian GP), which would compel Red Bull to find a replacement. If Max’s potential substitute comes from the current Racing Bulls drivers, then a replacement would be needed for the Faenza-based team. There’s also the FP1 rookie program, which this year requires each full-time driver to give up their car for two Friday morning sessions. Between Red Bull and Racing Bulls, that means eight sessions in total, and only three have been completed so far. Arvid Lindblad is also the ideal candidate to fill this role.
With his victory last winter in the Formula Regional Oceania championship, Lindblad already surpassed the 40 points required for a Super Licence. The 18 points he earned there added to the 15 points from his fourth place in last year’s Formula 3 championship and the 22 points gained in 2022 in Formula 4. With the pole position and win in the Feature Race during the last round in Barcelona, Arvid Lindblad has moved up to third in the overall Formula 2 standings, just eight points behind leader Alex Dunne.
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