Arvid Lindblad, the young British driver affiliated with the Red Bull junior programme, has been awarded an F1 super licence. This significant step was made possible after the team successfully requested a special exemption from the FIA for their 17-year-old prospect.
Possessing a super licence is a mandatory requirement for drivers to compete in Formula 1. The licence is typically not issued until a driver reaches the age of 18, provided they have also accumulated the necessary number of points based on their finishing positions in various feeder series over the preceding three years.
However, a revision to the regulations enacted last year introduced a provision for dispensation. Under this rule, the governing body has the authority to grant a super licence to a 17-year-old if they have demonstrably shown “recently and consistently outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition.”
Lindblad`s recent performances strongly support his case. In his inaugural season in Formula 2, the series immediately below F1, he currently ranks third overall and has already claimed two victories. Earlier in the year, he triumphed in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, securing enough points through that success alone to qualify for a standard super licence once he turns 18. He also finished fourth in his sole previous season in Formula 3.
Lindblad`s 18th birthday is scheduled for August 8.
Red Bull`s formal application for an early super licence for Lindblad was submitted several weeks ago. The request was discussed and subsequently approved by the FIA`s World Motor Sport Council during its recent meeting held in Macau on Tuesday. An official statement from the FIA confirmed the decision, stating: “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 approval of his super licence means that Lindblad is now eligible to participate in official F1 sessions, should Red Bull or their sister team choose to give him track time. Formula 1 regulations mandate that all teams must utilise inexperienced drivers in two Free Practice 1 sessions for each of their cars throughout the season.
While Red Bull has other experienced junior drivers available, such as Japan`s Ayumu Iwasa who participated in FP1 at the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, and the regular drivers at the Racing Bulls team (Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson), Lindblad`s super licence now formally adds him to the pool of drivers who could be called upon for such sessions.
The timing of this approval is also notable in light of the current penalty point situation involving senior Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. Verstappen is currently just one penalty point away from triggering a race ban, a precarious position he must navigate over the next two race weekends. Although Lindblad would likely not be the first choice for a full race substitute should Verstappen receive a ban (that role would probably fall to a Racing Bulls driver, creating a vacancy there), his super licence eligibility adds another potential option for Red Bull, particularly for fulfilling the required practice session outings for inexperienced drivers.
