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FIA to Consider Red Bull’s Request for Super Licence Exemption for Arvid Lindblad

The FIA is set to review a request that could open the door for Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad to make an early debut in Formula 1, as discussions around a possible Super Licence exemption will be on the agenda at next week’s World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) meeting in Macau.

RacingNews365 has confirmed that the matter will be addressed during the FIA’s Extraordinary General Assemblies and Conference, where Red Bull will seek approval for Lindblad to race in F1 before turning 18.

Although Lindblad has already secured the necessary FIA Super Licence points through his performances in Formula 2, he is currently ineligible to compete due to being under the minimum age limit of 18. That requirement was introduced after Max Verstappen debuted at age 17 in 2015 but has since been amended to allow for exceptions.

According to Article 13.1.2, Appendix L of the FIA International Sporting Code, the governing body may grant a Super Licence to a 17-year-old if they are deemed to have consistently demonstrated “outstanding ability and maturity” in single-seater competition — a provision Red Bull is hoping to apply in Lindblad’s case.

If the exemption is granted, Lindblad could become a backup option for Red Bull in the event of a race ban for Verstappen. In such a scenario, Lindblad might serve as a reserve driver for the race weekend, likely while continuing his F2 duties.

A driver reshuffle could also be triggered, with Ayumu Iwasa potentially stepping into a race seat at either Red Bull or Racing Bulls. In that case, Liam Lawson or Isack Hadjar could fill in, maintaining continuity within Red Bull’s driver pool.

Lindblad, who won’t meet the age requirement until after the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, has emerged as one of the standout young talents in the Red Bull academy. If the FIA grants the exemption, he would be eligible to race in F1 before his 18th birthday — a move that could have significant implications for Red Bull’s driver strategy moving forward.