Red Bull's Arvid Lindblad Completes First F1 Test at Imola

Arvid Lindblad, a 17-year-old Red Bull junior driver, has recently been granted an FIA superlicense through a special dispensation, allowing him to participate in Formula 1 sessions despite not meeting the usual age requirement. He completed his first proper F1 test at the Imola circuit, driving the 2023-spec AlphaTauri AT04 car, sharing testing duties with fellow Red Bull prospect Ayumu Iwasa. Lindblad's promising performances in junior series, including multiple Formula 2 race wins, have positioned him as a strong candidate for a Free Practice 1 (FP1) debut in the 2025 F1 season, with Red Bull looking to fill remaining rookie test slots. The team is preparing Lindblad for potential race opportunities, especially if Max Verstappen faces a race ban due to penalty points. Red Bull is keen to fast-track Lindblad's career, with expectations that he could secure a permanent F1 seat around 2026 amid potential changes in team driver lineups. Overall, Lindblad's rapid progression and support from Red Bull highlight him as a significant emerging talent within the F1 ecosystem.