ARVID LINDBLAD has enough talent to rival Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, but needs to master a key trait before he is capable of becoming a Formula One world champion.
At just 18 years old, Lindblad is already writing records, with his full F1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix seeing him become the youngest Briton to race in F1.
An impressive drive to P8 in Melbourne – the last of all five British drivers on the grid to score points Down Under – also saw him become the third-youngest points scorer in F1 history, behind only Verstappen and Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli.
Lindblad raced with Antonelli – now F1’s second-youngest race winner behind Verstappen following victory in China – in karting, with both being taught by Kart Republic’s legendary coach Dino Chiesa.
The Italian is considered one of the best in the motorsport business in terms of talent spotting, having also coached former world champions Hamilton and Nico Rosberg before they leapt into F1.
Lindblad is a smooth driver and quick learner, according to Chiesa, who added he believes the teen has the same aggression and disdain for coming second as seven-time world champion Hamilton.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport, Chiesa said: “He is a very smooth and clever driver. That was very positive because he can change his driving style if he needs to.
“He learns quickly and is a technical driver, adapting his braking or style to suit different tyres or chassis. He is also very quick in the rain.
“I would say he is more like Lewis. Nico was very polite and more willing to accept a second-place finish than Lewis or Arvid.
“Arvid is really aggressive in races; he doesn’t wait or calculate everything. When he reaches another driver, he overtakes immediately.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
“However, because he is clever, he doesn’t get involved in many incidents or big crashes.”
Chiesa was first introduced to Lindblad through Formula E star Oliver Rowland – his mentor while in mini karts – before they spent three years together in karting, two in the junior series and one in OK-Junior.
Lindblad finished behind Antonelli in the European Original Kart season.
Chiesa recalled how he had to tell him to think how he was better than 80 other drivers rather than losing to one, adding any world champion will actually lose more races than they win throughout their career.
He said: “He spent three very good years with me, but when he finished P2 behind a team-mate he immediately said to me, ‘f*** you, you gave the best engine to him’.
“He’s only 14, but if you think like that, your career will go wrong. You have to accept what you have and drive and make sure you’re at your best…
“He will be good for Red Bull, but sometimes he needs to learn to count to ten before he says something because he can be really passionate and maybe say the wrong thing.
“You have to be polite when you arrive in F1. When you become a Verstappen or Hamilton, you can say what you want, but until then, you have to be more political, and Arvid is no politician.”
Chiesa recalled a phone call he had with Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko asking if he had any promising stars for their driver development programme.
American driver Ugo Ugochukwu had taken the European junior title ahead of Lindblad in 2020, but was already signed up by McLaren.
But Lindblad earned Chiesa’s stamp of approval to a good reference to Marko before his contact details were passed on, and soon after he was a Red Bull driver.
He also recalls what Lindblad parents were like during his development years.
F1 2026 RACE CALENDAR: ALL THE INFO YOU NEED
Lindblad is the son of “nice guy” Swedish father, Stefan, but Chiesa admits his passion means he comes across more like a Latino father, often bemoaning Lindblad’s equipment when he didn’t come out on top.
Meanwhile, Lindblad’s mum, Anita, is of British Indian descent.
Chiesa recalled how she had so much belief in Lindblad, but would sometimes be overprotective and not admit when he might have made a mistake, a trait the driver had also had picked up.
Fast forward to 2026 and Lindblad is now an F1 star – having famously proclaimed to reigning world champion Lando Norris he would be one when he was just 14 years old.
Chiesa found out Lindblad would be making that final step following a phone call from Peter Bayer, CEO of Racing Bulls, and Marko around a week before the official announcement.
He texted him two days before the announcement was made, joking he did not receive an invite to the celebrations, but insists he is very proud to see Lindblad make that step up, like he was with Antonelli last year.
Lindblad is back in action at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend, hoping for another points finish in just his third race.
Top sport travel deals
WE have teamed up with top travel companies to secure amazing deals on some of the most spectacular contests.
Our partners’ packages include:
💪 See WrestleMania 42 live in Las Vegas including party with WWE stars
🎯 Luke Littler headlines the Premier League Darts on Thursday nights
⚽︎ Tickets and hotels to see top Premier League games at Man Utd and Arsenal
🐴 Save cash on premium packages to all the top horse racing meetings with our exclusive code
🎾 See the greatest tennis players on the planet compete at Wimbledon this summer
Check out more of our sport travel offers HERE
*If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
