Red Bull rising star takes giant step towards F1

Red Bull junior driver Arvid Lindblad has accumulated enough FIA super licence points to race in F1 in the 2025 season. The 17-year-old, who will race for Campos in F2 this year, won the Formula Regional Oceania championship, meaning he will now be able to apply for a super licence from F1's governing body. Although there is no indication from Red Bull it plans to make any driver changes over the course of the year to come, it does mean the British-Swedish driver could step into one the team's combined four race seats, if required. Lindblad won the New Zealand-based series at the final of five rounds , but with two races to spare. He comfortably took the title with six victories and a further five podiums from 13 of 15 races thus far. Having amassed around 32 super licence points already from his record in F4 and F3, the additional 18 for his latest title sees him surpass the 40-point threshold. However, super licence points are not finalised until a driver applies to the FIA for one. Despite it not being confirmed by Red Bull, it is believed the Milton Keynes-based team was the driving force behind the FIA relaxing its super licence rules last season, meaning racers under the age of 18 can apply for dispensation to race in F1 (and also complete free practice sessions), something that advantages Lindblad. It is not yet known whether he will participate in FP1 sessions for either Red Bull or Racing Bulls in 2025, but the recent development also provides the twin squads with further driver depth and options, should it want or need to call upon Lindblad to replace Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda - or indirectly Liam Lawson or Max Verstappen. Lindblad has previously voiced his desire to reach F1 by 2026 , a target that is now possible as a result of him clinching the 2025 Formula Regional Oceania crown. It also relinquishes some of the pressure from his debut season in F2. Whilst undoubtably a positive development for him, it is important to note that Tsunoda will act as Red Bull reserve driver over the course of the campaign, with Ayumu Iwasa fulfilling the role for Racing Bulls.