Arvid Lindblad on testing with Campos, touring India, and his super license points

13 February 2025

As his preparations begin for the start of the 2025 Formula 2 season, it is fair to say that Arvid Lindblad has had a whirlwind few months leading up to the test in Barcelona.

After finishing his Formula 3 campaign back in September – ending up fourth in the Drivers' Championship – Lindblad drove the Championship-winning Red Bull Racing RB8 car at a show run in Houston, before it was confirmed that he would be stepping up to F2 with Campos Racing in 2025.

He spent time with the team, starting in Baku, before jumping in the car for post-season testing in Abu Dhabi, all before jetting off to India and New Zealand over the winter.

But first of all, how did his first time in a Formula 2 car go?

“It was pretty good,” said Lindblad on post-season testing. “Obviously, the car was quite different to what I was used to in F3, so I was just trying to get up to speed and a good feeling with that.

“It was my first experience working with the team as well. I have been quite fortunate, it was announced quite early, so I had already started to gel with them. So, it didn't really feel like a first experience, but it was really enjoyable.

Lindblad drove a Formula 2 car for the first time at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi in December

“There's a lot to learn. It's my first time doing pit stops, first time with different compounds, but looking forward to Barcelona in a couple of weeks, getting another opportunity to get up to speed and to continue learning ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.”

After Abu Dhabi, Lindblad made his way to India, visiting the country from which his mother hails for the first time, touring various cities, ingratiating himself within the culture, as well as spending time with family.

“I have quite a wide mix of nationalities and backgrounds,” he explained. “So, on my mum's side, she's Indian through my grandparents, who were born and brought up in the Punjab region, so I went there to experience India.

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“We were doing loads of the touristy things, we spent time in Delhi, then we also went to Jaipur and Agra. So, it was really nice spending time with my family, also my grandparents, just exploring my roots.

“I also got to meet some of the Red Bull team there. It was my first time there, but I had a really enjoyable experience. It's quite different to what I had become used to in Europe, but it was really enjoyable.”

With Red Bull, Lindblad did not stay too far away from racing, as he spent time karting and drifting cars at the Buddh International Circuit. It all made for an experience that the 17-year-old is hopeful of recreating again soon.

Lindblad spent time in India with his family over the winter break

“I am definitely going to spend as much time there as I can within my busy schedule,” he said. “I will definitely try to go there more consistently. It would be awesome if there is a Formula 1 race there again, but we will see what happens.

“I actually went to the Formula 1 circuit, we did some filming and interviews there, actually did some drifting there as well, and that was fun.”

But it was still a winter of work for Lindblad as after India, he spent a few days in England before heading to New Zealand to take part in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship.

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The Red Bull Academy prospect enjoyed his time in the southern hemisphere and not only did he return to Europe with six victories and a title in his bag, but also with enough points for an FIA Super License.

“I really enjoyed it, it was a great experience, both on and off track,” said Lindblad. “The circuits are amazing, but then also being able to experience the landscape was great.

“It was my first time being able to sight see, seeing what's around me because it's not really common in the way the calendar is at the moment, so that was really enjoyable.

Lindblad spent time drifting cars at the Buddh International Circuit

“Doing the three rounds on the north island and then two rounds on the south island was a really great experience. I had really great company and a really good on/off track balance.”

On achieving enough points for an FIA Super License, Lindblad said: “Honestly, I don't know all the ins and outs of it, I was told ‘we want you to go to New Zealand, we want you to have the full Super License before the start of the F1 season.’

“I don't know what all the ins and outs of it are but doing that already is really good and it's definitely a positive, and winning the Championship, I am really happy about obviously.

“I am very aware that it is all good, but we know that the performance in F2 will dictate whether I get an F1 opportunity or not, so that's what I am focused on at the moment.”

Looking ahead to his Formula 2 season, Lindblad, having just returned to the UK from New Zealand, will soon start preparations with Campos ahead of pre-season testing.

“I am itching to get back into the car,” he added. “Obviously, the Championship in New Zealand was done in a FRECA car which is a step down from F2 and F3. So, I am really excited to get back in the car in Barcelona, to work with the team again.

The 17-year-old is keen to jump back in to the car at the Barcelona pre-season test

“Going into the season I want to try and approach it in a similar way to F3. I don't want to put a number on it, just using the test in Barcelona to the maximum, trying to learn and then we will see where we are in the first couple of races.

“But then when we come back to Europe, try to be fight for wins and podiums, which has to be the goal. Red Bull have given me really good support, Campos we know from last year were really impressive.

“So, I’m just focused on myself, trying to get up to speed because it is a big step. I have come through the ranks fast, so I'm still quite inexperienced. But like I said, I have a really good group of people around me to help so I have full faith that I can do the job.”