Lindblad shines in New Zealand - closes in on F1 super licence

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©ToyotaGazoo

Arvid Lindblad, the 17-year-old rising star of the Red Bull Junior Team, delivered an impressive performance in New Zealand as he continues his quest for Formula 1 super licence points.

Competing in the second round of the Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship at Hampton Downs, Lindblad claimed victory in two out of three races over the weekend, solidifying his status as a championship frontrunner.

The prodigious Brit, often likened to Max Verstappen by Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, demonstrated his raw talent with a commanding win in Saturday’s opening race.

Although he secured a respectable third place in Sunday’s reverse-grid race, Lindblad came roaring back in the weekend’s feature event, executing a flawless start and fending off his challengers with poise to secure his second victory.

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Lindblad now holds a strong grip on the championship, which carries the enticing reward of 18 super licence points for the winner.

These points are crucial for his ambitions to join the F1 grid, with the potential to make his practice session debut as early as 2025.

Having already impressed with a fourth-place finish in the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship, Lindblad will advance to Formula 2 in 2025 with Campos Racing, where he will partner fellow Red Bull talent Pepe Martí.

With his dominant display at Hampton Downs, Lindblad continues to make his case as one of motorsport’s brightest young stars.

His pursuit of super licence points and his relentless drive to reach Formula 1 underline why the motorsport world is closely watching his every move.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.