Lindblad happy with F1 debut: ‘I definitely could have gone quicker’

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Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad made a confident and composed F1 debut during Friday’s FP1 session at the British Grand Prix, impressing both in speed and maturity at Silverstone.

The 17-year-old Briton, who currently leads Red Bull’s Formula 2 driver lineup, stepped into the Red Bull RB21 for the first time in a Grand Prix weekend and ended the session 14th fastest – just half a second off reigning world champion Max Verstappen.

After climbing out of the car, Lindblad offered a grounded yet positive assessment of his first taste of top-tier competition.

“I felt comfortable in the car and I think the speed was okay,” Lindblad said in a post-session interview with the official F1 channel.

“I think that definitely I could go a bit quicker with a few more laps. But considering it was my first time in the car – I’ve only done very limited running in an F1 car, for example this weekend I think it’s 13, 14 seconds quicker than F2 so the step is enormous.

“So I think all that considered with the limited prep I’m quite happy with the job today.”

Pushing with Confidence, Not Fear

Despite the huge performance gap between F2 and F1 machinery, Lindblad said he felt confident enough to push because he knew he wouldn’t get close to the car’s ultimate limits.

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“I think the reality is these cars are so fast now, especially coming from what I’m used to, that my mental limit is lower than the car’s limit,” he explained.

“My mentality actually going into the session was to really try to push, knowing that I’d always be under the limit of the car. So I was pushing out there.”

It was a clear display of self-awareness and control – qualities that will serve Lindblad well should he make the jump to Formula 1 full-time next season, as many are predicting.

Future-Focused and Grateful

The brief taste of F1 has only heightened Lindblad’s desire for more. While he remains focused on delivering results in F2 this season, the Red Bull junior admitted the session left him eager for another run behind the wheel of an F1 car.

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“After the session was done, I really wanted just to get another go,” he said. “Especially after driving the F2, it felt quite a lot slower and worse.

“But I think it’s one of those moments that I’m just [aware] most people, basically everyone, doesn’t get the opportunity to drive a Formula 1 car.

“So just to get that opportunity I’m extremely grateful for and I’m focused on working hard and doing a good job in F2 to be a full-time [F1] driver soon.”

Read also: Verstappen slams ‘quite bad’ Silverstone start - Marko sees hope

With growing speculation that Lindblad could be promoted to Red Bull’s second team in 2026, his debut was a timely and composed showcase of the potential the energy drink giant has invested in.

For now, he returns to the F2 paddock – but it may not be long before he's back on the big stage, this time for good.

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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.