A Look at F1’s Only Rookie for 2026
Five years ago, at a Grand Prix, a kid from the karting world approached the still green Lando Norris and told him that in five years, they would race against each other in the pinnacle of motorsport. Now, following the announcement of Racing Bull’s driver lineup for 2026, that same kid has made good on his word. Having left a strong impression on his rise through the lower racing leagues, Arvid Lindblad will join Liam Lawson for Red Bull’s junior team in Formula 1. For those unfamiliar with the new face on the grid, here is a rundown of what he has accomplished in the five years since he set his prophecy in motion.
By 2021, Lindblad was already approaching the end of his karting days. The British racer, 14 years old at the time, had achieved a great deal of success, which continued through 2021 as he never finished a race that year below third place. In 2022, he made his entry into open-wheel racing under the banner of Red Bull’s junior team, competing in Formula 4 for Prema Racing. He showed promise early on as he finished championships towards the top of the standings regularly, taking nine victories in his second year. His success made him a top pick for teams in Formula 3, and in 2024, he made his mark by landing a victory in the second race of the season.
2024 was a standout year for Lindblad, as the young driver displayed impressive pace on tracks such as Silverstone and Melbourne. He showed that he could keep up and overtake the other drivers in his age range, so it was no surprise when he made an appearance in Formula 2 at the start of 2025. He claimed sixth place in this year’s championships, and given his track record, he looks to be on an upward trajectory in terms of his racecraft. It’s no surprise that he was selected to join Racing Bulls, with Red Bull believing some experience at the highest level could form him into a championship contender. As promised, he will be racing against Norris, now the newest WDC World Champion, on a grid of veterans. The competition for Lindblad will be the toughest it has ever been, but his career to date indicates that with time, he will rise to the occasion.
