Red Bull target FIA exemption for teenage sensation

Red Bull are targeting an exemption from the FIA for its teenage sensation Arvid Lindblad to be awarded a super licence, making him eligible to drive in Formula 1.

Following Max Verstappen's competitive debut as a 17-year-old back in 2014, motorsport's governing body introduced a minimum age limIt of 18 to race in F1. 

However, the FIA made an exemption last year by issuing Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli a super licence despite being 17 at the time. 

The governing body is prepared to make further exemptions to 17-year-old drivers, should the individual have "recently and consistently demonstrated outstanding ability and maturity in single-seater formula car competition".

Red Bull is eager for an exemption to also be made for Lindblad, with the team's motorsport advisor Helmut Marko having revealed to Auto Motor und Sport that it wants the young star in its reserve line-up. 

"We have Ayumu Iwasa as our reserve driver," Marko said. "Lindblad has the points for the super licence. We also completed a 300km test with him in a Formula 1 car at Imola, so he could theoretically step in.

"But he doesn't turn 18 until September. That's why we're currently applying to the FIA for an exemption for the super licence. Antonelli got it, too. 

"We see no reason why the same shouldn't be true for Lindblad. Then we'd already have two drivers on the bench."

A Red Bull spokesperson also told RacingNews365 that a "precedent [was] set with Antonelli so we expect a similar process".

Red Bull 'dealing' with super licence

It has already been a successful 2025 for Lindblad, who won the Formula Regional Oceania Championship ahead of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix. 

Winning that series has put the young driver on enough points to qualify for an FIA super licence, with the only remaining issue being his age. 

For this year, Lindblad has moved up to Formula 2 with Campos Racing and recently told RacingNews365 that Red Bull was handling his super licence. 

When asked if he had been through the process of obtaining a super licence, Lindblad answered: "I don’t know. Red Bull are dealing with that. Obviously, it’s a bit complicated because I’m still under 18, so they’re in control of all that."

As mentioned by Marko, earlier this year the British-Swedish star completed a TPC test (Testing of Previous Cars) at Imola with Racing Bulls. 

He is viewed very highly by Marko and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, although is not feeling any less pressure ahead of his debut F2 season despite already having the necessary points to race in F1. 

"If I’m being honest, it doesn’t really take away any pressure," Lindblad told RacingNews365 and other media following F2 pre-season testing.

"Obviously it’s good to have the super licence, that’s sort of a bonus but it’s never really been something I’ve thought about.

"For me, it’s one of those things that if you perform in your series or category, it’s something that just comes as a result of that.

"Due to the nature of how quick I’ve been pushed through the categories, I haven’t actually been in that many championships to accumulate the points.

"I don’t really think about it too much with the super licence, I just see it now as a bonus - and obviously it’s good to have that sorted."