The FIA has approved an exemption to the super license rules for Red Bull prodigy Arvid Lindblad. The 17-year-old British-Swedish driver had already accumulated enough points for a super license, but was technically too young to make his Formula 1 debut. Thanks to a special clause for ‘extraordinary talents’, the Formula 2 driver is now allowed to compete in the premier class.
“The FIA received a request to grant Arvid Lindblad a super license before his 18th birthday,” reads an official report from the FIA. The organization traveled to Macau this week for the so-called general meetings, where, among other things, Red Bull’s request was discussed. “After studying the information submitted in support of this request, the council concluded that the driver has recently and consistently demonstrated excellent skills and maturity in the single-seater classes,” the message continues. “The request has therefore been approved.”
Extraordinary Talents
Arvid Lindblad is considered the next big talent from Red Bull. The British-Swedish driver currently competes in Formula 2, where he secured his first victory during the recent race weekend in Spain. Thanks in part to his performances in Formula 3, he has now accumulated enough super license points. Until recently, however, Lindblad was too young to participate in Formula 1. In 2024, the FIA added a clause to the International Sporting Code, allowing ‘extraordinary talents’ to obtain a super license earlier. This also enabled underage Andrea Kimi Antonelli to secure a license at the time.
Now that Lindblad is eligible for an F1 debut, Red Bull has additional options in case Max Verstappen is suspended. The Dutchman currently has 11 penalty points after the Spanish Grand Prix; if he receives one more point, the FIA will be forced to suspend him for one race. In that case, Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar could be promoted to the main team, with Lindblad potentially stepping in at Racing Bulls. Test and reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa is also a candidate for a substitute role.
