Arvid Lindblad (Image credit: AP) NEW DELHI: When Arvid Lindblad sat in his Racing Bulls car at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year, there was already talk of the young driver with Indian roots making his debut alongside stars like Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton. However, once the checkered flag fell, all eyes were on the 18-year-old, who picked up points for his team on his debut.Lindblad finished eighth and earned four points for the Racing Bulls. After an impressive debut, his emotions were evident as he jumped out of his car, celebrated with a roar and soaked himself.Lindblad recently took time off to explore India, sampling Mumbai’s street food, visiting popular spots, interacting with locals and even stopping by Mannata. The 18-year-old spoke to TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview about his journey to Formula 1 so far, his connection with India and much more.excerpts:You scored points in your very first race. It must have been an emotional moment – can you take us back to that memory?Yeah, it was very special – very emotional. It’s something I’ve dreamed of all my life, to get into Formula 1. To have that moment in Australia with both parents made it even more meaningful. The whole weekend went so smoothly – to get into Q3, score points and even finish in the top three at one stage in the opening round was pretty surreal. I absolutely loved every bit of it. It is a day I will remember forever.What was it like lining up against riders you grew up with as icons of the sport? How did it feel to race alongside them?Yeah, it was pretty surreal. To race with guys like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton – and even Max Verstappen, who really came through the sport when I started watching him – was incredibly special. They’re riders I’ve watched on TV for years, so to be out there racing lap by lap with them is hard to put into words. I’d say Lewis was probably the one that got me the most in the beginning, and even now there are still plenty of moments that “sting” me. Even in Japan, during the riders’ parade, it was quite strange to be there next to him. But once I’m on the track, with the helmet on, it’s different – we’re all competitors and I’ll take every opportunity I can. Still, it’s amazing. I remember hearing ‘Hamilton coming through’ on the radio last year during FP1 too when he was on the carousel – it’s quite special just to hear that and share the track with him. It must have been a special moment for your family as well. What were the conversations like?Yeah, it was really special. This has always been my dream and my path – something I’ve been working towards for as long as I can remember. But it’s not just mine, it’s something we’ve all sacrificed for as a family. My parents, even my brother—they all played a part. So it really felt like a family time.That’s why having them with me in Melbourne makes it even more meaningful. It’s hard to describe, but I remember when I got out of the car after the race and left the media pen, my parents were waiting for me in the hospitality area. The first thing I did was just hug them. It’s something we’ve dreamed about for years – mainly me and my dad.For so long it seemed so far away. We were in the UK, racing on small tracks, getting up at 6am in the cold and rain. My dad was my mechanic and we did everything ourselves. It didn’t always seem real that we would get here one day. And then suddenly it’s real. It’s happening. That moment hit us. We didn’t say much – we just hugged each other, a little emotional. I almost had tears in my eyes after the race. It was a very strange feeling.You share a great bond with Max Verstappen. That viral video of him asking you for your driver’s license got a lot of attention – what was that moment like?(laughs) Yeah, it was pretty cool. I have known Max Verstappen for some time and he has always been extremely friendly to me. I have a lot of respect for him – not only as a driver, because the level he shows is incredible, but also as a person.He was always very nice, approachable and willing to give advice whenever I needed it. What stands out is how humble and grounded he is – he hasn’t let fame or the limelight change him, which is really great to see. In that sense, he’s definitely someone I look up to. I was lucky enough to spend time with him and develop a good relationship.The viral moment was from a shooting day a few months ago when it turned out I still didn’t have a driver’s license. It was a funny situation and something we could both relate to because we entered Formula 1 at a very young age. I think both of our paths were quite similar in that sense – we progressed quickly, entered F1 young and were part of the Red Bull set-up. So it was really nice to share those experiences and moments with him.Three races into your career – what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned so far?I think it was a huge change in Formula 1 this year with the new regulations – new engines, new cars, new tires – so there was a lot to learn and get up to speed. For me, the biggest challenge now is to manage everything. I already had the feeling since last year that you have a lot more influence on the car in F1 thanks to running TPC and FP1.There are a lot more tools available and you can customize them a lot more compared to other categories. In junior series, it’s basically just you and the car – you can’t change much. But there’s a lot more power to unlock in F1, and even more this year, especially on the powertrain side. How you drive—your inputs—can affect how and when you get power and how it’s delivered.So there are a lot more variables you can control and the key is to use them in the right way at the right time. It wasn’t easy to manage it all, especially during a race with so much going on. It’s something that all drivers adjust to because it’s quite different, but as a rookie I feel like there’s even more power for me compared to others. You have often spoken of Oliver Rowland. What role did he play in your journey?Yeah, Oli is a huge help to me – someone I’ve known for a very long time. I first met him when I was seven and we actually started going karts together. He was very supportive when I was racing in Europe – going to the races, staying in touch and guiding me along the way. He was even more involved in Formula 3 and Formula 2.He participated in many races and played a big role in my development. His association with Red Bull was also a key factor in helping me quickly move up the ranks and get into Formula 1. It’s actually quite difficult to describe his role because it’s a bit of everything. He’s a mentor but also feels like family given how long we’ve known each other.He helps me in all aspects of my job as a driver. As you know, today’s role is not just about driving. He works with me on performance, gives me feedback on what I can improve, but also helps with things like preparing for race weekends, handling the media and managing everything that goes with the job. So it’s not just one thing – he’s been there to guide me in every aspect of my journey.If you weren’t racing professionally, what do you think you’d be doing today?I’m not entirely sure, but I’ve always liked sports and I’m quite a driven, competitive person. So I think I would end up with some kind of sport. Maybe even cricket, who knows? But honestly, it’s hard to say – I started karting at the age of five, so this journey started very early for me. I’m pretty sure I would be involved in sports in some way.’You have a unique heritage and a strong connection to India through your family. Has it affected your identity or the way you approach your career? And what do you enjoy most about visiting India?Yes, I am very proud of my Indian origin. It was a big part of my upbringing and really shaped me into the person and driver I am today. I’ve been connected to it since I was little – celebrating traditions, doing puja with my grandparents and enjoying my nanny’s Indian food. I still remember when I was seven or eight years old when she used to come to the race track and carry home cooked meals – we had rajma chawal, chapatis and channa in the back of the car.These are really special memories and have kept me in close touch with my roots. It’s something I’ve talked about recently, but it’s always been important to me. The values – hard work, humility, always giving your best – have had a big impact on who I am today. I always enjoy coming to India. As you mentioned, the puja we did together in Delhi before the show where she kind of wished me luck before my first race in Melbourne was really special. It’s the little things that mean a lot. We share a very close bond and I really value that connection.Can you tell us a bit about your journey with Red Bull – from the junior program to now on the F1 grid?Yes, of course I am very grateful to Red Bull for the support they have given me. I was signed to the program when I was 13 at the end of 2020 and things have come a long way since then – it’s been a really special journey. I still remember how it all started when I met Helmut Mark (former Austrian F1 driver) in the hotel when he told me he wanted to sign me.I was incredibly excited, especially knowing that he supported drivers like Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen who have achieved great things. It meant a lot for him to show such faith in me. Since then, both Helmut and ‘Rocky’ have played a huge role in my development. Rocky, especially on the technical side, was someone I leaned on a lot. His experience, including working closely with Sebastian and winning the World Championship, helped me learn and improve as a rider.I always had a very honest relationship with Helmut. We talk openly about what’s going well and what needs to be improved, and that’s really helped me move forward quickly. It is thanks to them and the whole Red Bull Junior program that I was able to climb the ladder so quickly and get into Formula 1. I will always be extremely grateful for this opportunity – especially Helmut, who played a big role in giving me this chance. I wouldn’t be here without that support.How was your recent trip to Mumbai?I had a lot of fun visiting Mumbai – I went to Mannat, spent time on the beaches, interacted with the kids and played cricket with them at the maidans where Sachin Tendulkar started his career. It was a really pleasant experience. This was my second visit to India – we also came in December 2025 – but it was my first time in Mumbai and I absolutely loved it. It was great to learn more about Indian culture and explore the city.We did a mixture of touristy things and fun activities. We visited Mannat, went to India Gate and explored the city a lot. I even tried vada pav for the first time which was amazing. Overall it was a fantastic trip – we did so many things and really enjoyed it. I loved every bit of it and I’m really looking forward to going back later this year.You played cricket at the Mumbai Maidans where Sachin Tendulkar started his journey. What was the experience like?To be honest, I don’t know if I’m at a level where I can say I’ve been playing solid shots – mostly I’ve just been trying to hit the ball as hard as I can. But it was great fun. The kids were incredibly friendly. When we played at Maidan, there were people of all ages – adults in their 20s and 30s, even older, and little kids around six or seven. Everyone was very welcoming and happy to let me join. I got a chance to stand in front of the wickets, bat and just enjoy the moment. It was a really fun experience playing with everyone.You also visited Mannat, the home of Shah Rukh Khan. How was the visit?I mean, of course Shah Rukh Khan is a massive Bollywood star – more like a legend to be honest. I can’t quite remember the name of the movie now, but I remember a scene we tried to recreate when I was in Delhi a few months ago.We did a fun social concept where we kind of replicated that iconic moment when he comes home and meets his mother. I took a walk and then we had this warm hug and hug. I don’t remember the exact dialogues, but the scene itself is really famous and it was great to repeat it.
