Arvid Lindblad details motocross beginnings ahead of 2026 F1 debut with Racing Bulls

Arvid Lindblad, set to be the sole rookie on the 2026 Formula 1 grid, has traced his rapid ascent to the championship back to his early days on a motocross bike. The British driver, who will join Racing Bulls next season, credits a self-driven passion and an unwavering childhood belief for his path to F1.

Why it matters:

Lindblad's journey from a non-racing family to a coveted F1 seat underscores the evolving pathways into the sport. His story highlights the critical role of junior academies, like Red Bull's, in identifying and fast-tracking talent. As the only new face entering in 2026, his performance will be a key barometer for the next generation of drivers.

The details:

• Lindblad's first motorsport experience was on a motocross bike at age three, a brief venture ended by his mother's concerns.
• He found his calling in karting at five years old and was immediately hooked, telling his father he wanted to reach F1 after watching a race together at age four.
• He joined the Red Bull Junior Team framework in 2021 while still karting and became a full member in 2022 at 14.
• His career has followed an accelerated trajectory: Italian F4 (2022), F4 UAE and Euro 4 (2023), Formula Regional Middle East and F3 (2024), and Formula Regional Oceania and F2 (2025).
• In F2 with Campos Racing, he became the youngest sprint race winner in Jeddah and the second-youngest polesitter in Barcelona.

What's next:

Lindblad will partner Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls in 2026, filling the seat vacated by Isack Hadjar, who is promoted to race alongside Max Verstappen. The upcoming season will test whether his rapid junior category rise can translate into immediate impact in Formula 1, as he fulfills a childhood prediction he once made to Lando Norris about meeting on the F1 grid.