Red Bull handed fresh F1 driver option after FIA exemption

The FIA has confirmed it has granted a super licence to Arvid Lindblad following a request from Red Bull.

Lindblad has been part of the Red Bull stable for several years and completed his first F1 test with the team earlier this year.

The Milton Keynes-based squad has been seeking an exemption to the super licence rules.

FIA's regulations state a driver must be at least 18 years of age before they are issued the super licence required to race in F1.

This would prohibit Lindblad from receiving a call-up in the very near future, as he does not turn 18 until August later this year.

However, the FIA now allowed Lindblad to secure to licence amid his rookie season in Formula 2.

“The FIA has received a request to grant a Super Licence to Arvid Lindblad prior to his 18th birthday,” read a statement from the FIA.

“After considering the information presented in support of this request, the World Council found that the driver has recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition and therefore approved the request.”

The ruling grants Red Bull an additional option for its driver pool as it navigates the next two races with care, with Max Verstappen being just one penalty point away from a race ban.

Lindblad has been linked with a full-time promotion to the F1 grid in 2026 for the Racing Bulls squad.

The Briton currently sits third in the F2 drivers' championship, picking up two wins in the opening six rounds of the campaign.