Who Is Arvid Lindblad? 18-year-old With Indian Roots Ready To Race For Red Bull’s Visa Cash App F1 Team
British-Swedish racing sensation Arvid Lindblad, 18, is set to step up to Formula 1 as a full-time driver for Racing Bulls in 2026, capping a meteoric rise through the junior ranks and bringing with him a strong Indian connection that has caught the eye of fans. Lindblad will be promoted to replace Isack Hadjar and is slated to make his full-season debut alongside Liam Lawson, making him one of the youngest drivers on the modern F1 grid.
Lindblad’s Indian heritage comes from his mother, Anita Ahuja, whose parents were born and raised in Punjab. Earlier this year, he travelled to India, visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra and expressing his admiration for the country.
“India, what a magical place. Proud to have my maternal ancestral roots here. Look forward to spending more time here,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
Lindblad’s F1 journey began early. He started karting at the age of five at Daytona Sandown Park in Esher and quickly made an impression. He became British Cadet Champion in 2019, then added titles in the WSK Super Master Series in 2020 and the WSK Euro Series in 2021. At just 13, he was signed by the Red Bull Junior Team, marking him out as one of the programme’s most promising prospects.
His climb gathered pace in 2023, when he debuted in several Formula 4 series, fighting for championships in Italy, the UAE and Euro 4, and securing a standout win at the Macau Grand Prix. In 2024, racing for PREMA in FIA Formula 3, he became the youngest F3 winner with a sprint victory in Bahrain and later dominated at Silverstone. The 2025 season saw him graduate to Formula 2 with Campos Racing, where he claimed wins in Jeddah and Barcelona and earned a special FIA super licence at just 17.
Lindblad further underlined his credentials in October 2025 when he substituted for Max Verstappen at the Mexican Grand Prix and finished sixth. That result solidified his reputation at the top level and paved the way for confirmation of his full-time F1 promotion.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane praised the youngster’s development, saying, “Arvid’s rapid progression marks him as one of the standout young talents in the sport,” pointing to the exceptional speed of his rise.
“Together with Liam, they form a strong and dynamic pairing, one that embodies the ambition and youthful spirit of VCARB as we enter a transformative new era for Formula 1,” Permane added.
Lindblad’s career so far has been defined by strategic moves and well-timed steps through the categories, supported by top-tier development teams and his ability to adapt quickly at every level.
“Since I started this journey at five-years-old, it was always my goal to be in Formula One, so it’s a proud moment to take this step,” Lindblad said. “I’m extremely grateful to the Red Bull Junior Programme and my personal team for their guidance, mentorship and belief; none of this would have been possible without their support. 2026 will be a big challenge and I know there’s a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work closely with the team and rise to it. I can’t wait to get started, it’s going to be an exciting year!”
When he lines up on the F1 grid, Lindblad will become the 20th driver from the renowned Red Bull programme to reach the sport’s pinnacle.
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