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Arvid Lindblad Cleared by FIA to Race in F1 Practice Sessions as Red Bull Grooms Verstappen’s Successor
Arvid Lindblad, one of Red Bull Racing’s most promising young talents, has officially been granted special permission by the FIA to obtain a Super Licence, allowing him to participate in Formula 1 race weekends, including free practice sessions, despite being only 17 years old. This marks a significant development in Red Bull’s long-term driver strategy, with Lindblad now being widely regarded as the frontrunner to eventually replace Max Verstappen at the senior team.
Ordinarily, FIA regulations stipulate that a driver must be at least 18 years old to receive a Super Licence—the credential required to drive in Formula 1. This rule was introduced following Max Verstappen’s extraordinary but controversial leap into the sport at the age of 17 back in 2015. His entry prompted concerns about maturity, safety, and fairness, leading to tighter restrictions on driver eligibility.
However, the FIA does allow for exceptions under “extraordinary circumstances,” where a driver can be assessed individually based on their performance, conduct, and overall readiness for F1. In recent years, this clause has been used sparingly, most notably in 2024 when Mercedes-backed Kimi Antonelli was granted early approval. Lindblad has now become only the second driver to benefit from this rule after a formal request was submitted by Red Bull.
“The FIA has received a request to grant a Super Licence to Arvid Lindblad prior to his 18th birthday,” a spokesperson for the FIA announced. “After reviewing the detailed information provided, the World Motor Sport Council concluded that the driver has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, maturity, and professionalism in single-seater competition. As such, the request has been approved.”
Lindblad’s impressive track record in junior formulas has clearly convinced the sport’s governing body. Competing in the Formula 3 series with Prema Racing, he has delivered a string of strong performances that showcase both raw pace and racecraft—qualities that Red Bull sees as critical to nurturing the next generation of F1 talent. His early promotion reflects Red Bull’s continued focus on identifying and fast-tracking young drivers through their Junior Team system, much like they did with Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel in previous years.
With the FIA’s green light, Lindblad is now eligible to take part in official F1 practice sessions. This means Red Bull or its sister team, Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri), could slot him into an FP1 session as early as this season, offering him a valuable opportunity to gain experience in an F1 car before making a full race debut in the future.
The move underscores Red Bull’s long-term succession planning. Although Verstappen remains under contract through 2028, ongoing rumors about his future—including possible interest from Mercedes—have led the team to carefully plan for all scenarios. Lindblad’s rapid rise through the ranks and now his official F1 eligibility suggest Red Bull is preparing for whatever the future holds—whether Verstappen stays or eventually moves on.
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