Red Bull Racing has officially petitioned the FIA to waive the minimum age requirement for its rising protégé, Arvid Lindblad, enabling him to secure a Formula 1 Super Licence prior to turning 18 in August 2025. The request is aimed at facilitating Lindblad’s participation in F1-related activities this season, particularly during free practice sessions—a strategic move designed to fast-track his integration into the elite motorsport tier.
Lindblad, a dual national of Britain and Sweden, has already satisfied the FIA’s 40-point Super Licence criterion through exceptional performances in lower-tier competitions. His victory in the 2025 Formula Regional Oceania Championship alone added 18 points to his tally. Complemented by a commendable fourth-place finish in the FIA Formula 3 Championship and a series of top-tier results in Formula 4, Lindblad has rapidly solidified his status as a future star in single-seater racing.
Despite his point total, Lindblad’s current age poses a regulatory complication. The FIA mandates that Super Licence holders be at least 18 years old. However, a 2023 amendment introduced an exception clause for drivers under 18 who exhibit “exceptional skill and maturity.” Red Bull’s request hinges on this provision, citing Lindblad’s precocious talent as justification for the exemption.
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, has publicly championed Lindblad’s cause, likening the situation to that of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who previously received a similar exception under comparable circumstances. Marko emphasized Red Bull’s confidence in Lindblad’s preparedness to handle the rigors of Formula 1 both physically and mentally.
This appeal represents Red Bull’s broader ambition to cultivate elite talent from an early age and ensure their readiness for full-time competition. If the FIA approves the waiver, it could establish a new benchmark for how emerging drivers are evaluated, potentially reshaping future standards for age-based eligibility in Formula 1.
