Last year, some new drivers made their way onto the F1 grid, adding fresh faces to the mix.
This year, though, Arvid Lindblad is the sole rookie on the grid.
The 18-year-old has been turning heads in his initial races, earning points during his debut at the Australian Grand Prix. With the return to racing after a lengthy break, the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver is eager for his first experience at the Miami Grand Prix and aims to kickstart his season strongly.
Before Lindblad’s debut in Miami, he had a chat with SB Nation about the beginning of his F1 career, where he sees room for improvement, and his upcoming race in Miami.
Arvid Lindblad’s F1 journey in 2026 so far
So far, Lindblad’s rookie season has been just three races long, which made for an interesting discussion. How would he sum up his experiences thus far?
“I think it’s been pretty good. Clearly, Melbourne was my first race, and getting points in qualifying during that debut was fantastic. Japan had some highlights as well,” Lindblad reflected.
“Overall, there were quite a few positive moments that have boosted my confidence and shown me I can handle it. However, there were also some challenging moments which revealed areas I need to work on,” Lindblad added. “So while I’m feeling confident, I’m aware there’s still growth ahead of me, and it’s exciting to be at this stage early in my rookie season.”
Scoring points in his first F1 race—finishing eighth at the Australian Grand Prix—was more than he had hoped for.
“It was pretty cool,” Lindblad shared.
“I’ve always dreamed of being in Formula 1, so having that experience was incredibly special, especially with my parents there that weekend.”
“The way the weekend unfolded—Q3, scoring points, and even running third at one point in the first lap—exceeded my expectations.”
After his debut, Lindblad started to think about his next goals. Is it a podium finish? A victory?
His objectives might surprise some.
“I’m not entirely sure. Getting on the podium is probably the next big step, but it’s not on my mind all the time,” Lindblad indicated.
“Ultimately, it’s all about the outcome.”
“There’s still a lot of ground to cover,” he acknowledged.
“I have plenty of areas to improve, so I’m focusing on that, learning, and growing. If I do it right, I believe success will follow, but it’s not something I’m actively fixated on.”
Last year, there were numerous rookies on the grid.
This season, however, Lindblad is the only rookie. He was asked how that feels.
As he noted, being the new guy is part of his path.
“Honestly, I don’t think about it much. I’ve moved up the ranks rather quickly. In single-seaters, I’ve been in a new category every year, and in karting, I was always eager to jump to the next level. So, I’ve always been one of the younger ones, the newcomer,” Lindblad explained.
“I’m used to this feeling. Of course, the stakes are higher in F1, but adapting to challenges is something I’m quite familiar with.”
The conversation shifted to the collaboration between VCARB and Mobil, and how it benefits Lindblad and his teammate Liam Lawson on the track.
“This partnership with Mobil is massive,” Lindblad began. “I’ve learned a great deal about it, and it’s been exciting to see it in action.”
“With a new engine debuting this year, their expertise has truly made a difference in ensuring that our first Red Bull engine operates smoothly. My team and I are incredibly thankful for their support. It’s also nice that the experts providing our racing fuel also supply it at the stations.”
Fans can participate in activities in Miami this week. If you’ve ever wanted to try a simulator against F1 driver times, you can do so on specific dates at the Mobile Station in Miami Gardens.
Lindblad himself will be present on one of the days and is excited about the opportunity.
“Mobil is holding a fan event, so I plan to be there today. The simulator, the free merch, and engaging with fans—it’s going to be an awesome experience, and I hope everyone enjoys it,” he remarked.
After a significant break, F1 is back this weekend with the Miami Grand Prix.
Lindblad discussed how he’s been preparing for this first race in Miami.
“Pretty well,” he replied.
“It’s a bit different since it’s my first race back at a new track during a sprint weekend after a lengthy hiatus. There is a sense of being thrown into the deep end. I’ve focused on simulations to get up to speed and understand the circuit. It’s a lot to digest, but once out on the track, it’s inevitably going to be challenging.”
“But I’m really looking forward to it.”
F1’s decision to extend practice time for this event is also beneficial. The Miami Grand Prix follows a sprint weekend format, allowing teams only one practice session, albeit extended by 30 minutes due to recent rule changes.
Lindblad recognizes that this additional time will help both him and the team.
“It should definitely be advantageous,” he said. “As a rookie, I appreciate any extra time to familiarize myself with the track before diving into competitive sessions. The team will benefit too, given the recent regulations require some adjustment, so more track time is a plus.”
“In the past, I would build up some laps and then switch to longer runs, which quickly brings you into sprint qualifying.”
“So any extra time is always a bonus.”
Lindblad is looking ahead to Miami and acknowledges the areas he needs to focus on.
“For me, the biggest challenge is adapting to the differences in these cars, particularly the power units,” he remarked.
“We’re dealing with a much larger electrical component than before, especially during qualifying, where we can really tap into its potential and maximize our performance. In the race, it’s about employing those strategies while racing—knowing when to overtake and how to defend. It’s a skill to manage all of that, and I think it’s a key area for everyone to work on, as it represents significant change.”
But amidst all this improvement work, he remains eager for his Miami debut.
“I can’t wait for the weekend. It’s my first time in Miami, and I’ve heard so many great things about this event, so I’m excited about what’s to come,” Lindblad expressed.
“Just the thought of our paddock being in an NFL stadium is honestly a bit surreal.”
This has been a remarkable start for Arvid Lindblad, including scoring points in his first-ever F1 race.
It will be interesting to see how his first Miami Grand Prix unfolds.
