Racing Bulls Rookie Lindblad Yet to Pass Road Driving Test

Arvid Lindblad joined Racing Bulls for the 2026 Formula 1 season at 18, but he still needs to earn one license: his road driving permit. Despite competing at the pinnacle of motorsport, the British rookie revealed he has only just completed his first official lesson and is preparing to take his practical test.

Why it matters:

In a sport where teenagers routinely outpace veterans, Lindblad's situation highlights the surreal reality of modern junior driver development. F1 racers often reach the grid before they can legally drive on public roads, a stark reminder of how careers are fast-tracked through Formula 2 and Formula 3. His candid comments offer a rare, relatable glimpse of a driver navigating everyday milestones while competing at the highest level.

The details:

• Speaking to beIN Sports ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Lindblad said he is ready to sit his driving test after one lesson, with checking blind spots his only remaining concern.
• The instructor, already aware of his motorsport background, offered virtually no critique beyond reminding him to monitor his surroundings.
• Lindblad found road driving strange, particularly speed limits. He admitted holding back the throttle and traveling at 30 mph felt "painfully slow" and unnatural compared to grand prix machinery.
• On track, he has adapted far more comfortably, scoring 20 points in nine races to sit 11th in the standings, 19 points behind team-mate Liam Lawson in tenth.
• Highlights include an eighth-place debut in Australia and seventh-place finishes at Monaco and the British Grand Prix.

What's next:

Lindblad's focus returns to racing at the Belgian Grand Prix on 19 July at Spa-Francorchamps. If he carries his momentum through the summer European races, he could close the gap to Lawson in the championship while finally securing that elusive road license away from the circuit.