Campos Racing rookie Arvid Lindblad had a successful weekend in Bahrain. Despite only qualifying in P16, he managed to score points in both the sprint race and feature race. Going into the F2 Saudi Arabian GP round for the first time as a rookie, Lindblad will be looking to continue this point-scoring momentum.
The Campos Racing driver responded to questions in a press conference attended by PitDebrief about the upcoming race in Jeddah and his unique role as a Red Bull Junior.
Jeddah as a new challenge
Formula 3 does not race in Jeddah. It well therefore be Lindblad’s and the other rookies’ first time racing at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP round, Lindblad responded with his thoughts about racing at the circuit for the first time. He shared his perspective on drivers actually being used to racing at new circuits, particularly due to the simulators.
“It’s a new track for me and Gabriele [Minì] and all the rookies, which is a new challenge. But I think from an approach point of view, we do the same as every weekend, with the simulator being the main form of preparation, and then obviously, working with the team. So from a prep point of view, I don’t think it’s really been any different.“
“For sure, the first couple of laps in FP will be more challenging without that previous knowledge. But at least for me, I was a rookie last year in F3. There was quite a few times that I was going to the track for the first time in FP and having to crack on and find a way.”
“I think the second-year or third-year drivers will have a bit of an advantage. But I think it will be okay.”
Team dynamics
Going into this new circuit, Lindblad was asked how useful it is to have a more experienced teammate.
Lindblad’s Campos Racing teammate is Pepe Martí, who earned four podiums in his rookie season last year. Lindblad spoke about the value of his experience.
“For sure going into this weekend, but I think all weekends throughout the year, having an experienced driver like Pepe alongside me is very beneficial. I’m still a rookie. I’m still learning a lot. So having someone who’s done it all before that I can learn from and to push me forward is really useful.”
Adjusting to a new racing format
New circuits are not the only thing that rookie drivers have to adapt to when they enter Formula 2. Different tyre management and mandatory pit stops for the feature race are among some new elements.
The season-opening feature race was cancelled in Melbourne due to the weather. Lindblad therefore had his first experience of a mandatory pit stop at the Bahrain GP round. The Campos Racing rookie responded to a question regarding his experience of how much input the driver adds to strategy.
“For me and Gabi [Gabriele Minì], obviously, the strategy and pit stops is all new. Being our first feature race, because Melbourne didn’t go ahead, it was a new challenge. I found it really enjoyable.”
“There’s new things to think about. I think, from our side, normally we just try to keep the team informed on how the tyres are and what you feel the pace is. But it’s quite a two-way communication.”
“We’re mainly just focused on how the tyres are feeling and how much laps that we feel we can do more. But they obviously have much more info. I think Bahrain’s quite good for that, because the tyres are quite different. There is quite a lot of strategy. You can pit on very different laps, which makes it quite fun.”
F2 Championship hopes and inspiration
The Saudi Arabian GP is the third round of the 2025 season and Lindblad’s F2 career. Although an early prediction, he responded to whether, he believes he can be the 2025 champion.
“I’m not really thinking about that at the moment. Like you said, we’ve only done two rounds, so the performance hasn’t been amazing across the first two. There’s been some stuff that’s been out of my control. Then a few mistakes as well in important moments that’s meant I’ve not been as towards the front as I’d like.
Though managing to get some points on the board at this early stage in the season, Lindblad explained some issues that he has already come across. He spoke about his own mistakes and a technical issue that affected the qualifying session in Melbourne where he was only 14th fastest.
“To be honest, I’m just focused on trying to improve the performance and trying to have a really good weekend here in Jeddah and be fighting at the front again. We’ll see what happens with regards to the championship. But first, I’m just thinking about trying to be more competitive. Then, obviously, that will become maybe more of a question later.”
What is Lindblad looking to improve?
Ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP, Lindblad responded to a question from Pit Debrief about any aspects of performance that he wanted to improve. He explained his thoughts regarding the car and developing his own racing.
“On the car side, we don’t really have any more testing. All the official tests are gone now, are done. So I think from a car side, there’s not really going to be much development. It’s the team doing the work beforehand.”
“On our side, at least for myself, like I mentioned before, I’ve made a few mistakes in important moments across the first two rounds. There’s also just been some stuff out of my control that’s meant I’ve not been as far forward as I want.”
“So I don’t think there’s anything special that I have to change or anything different like that. I just focus on doing the basics well here in Jeddah. I think that will already take care of a lot.”
“Also as a rookie, you’re just constantly learning. So I don’t know. There’s nothing in particular that I’m thinking of. Just trying to do the basics and stuff well, and then learning with good time and experience.”
Changing inspirations
In response to a question from Pit Debrief about which of his fellow drivers inspire him, Lindblad spoke on the level of competitiveness within the Formula 2 grid this year.
“I think we’re fortunate to be racing in such a competitive field this year. There’s a lot of really good drivers in the field to compete against, but I don’t think there’s anyone that we really idolise.”
He then went on to speak about how his inspirations are changing the closer he gets to reaching Formula 1.
“Also in F1, I think when we were young, there were drivers that we really used to look up to and idolise a bit. Now, at least as I’m getting closer to Formula One, I don’t think there’s anyone that I really idolise anymore. But just have a huge respect for them all and know how impressive they are and the level that they’re competing at. But I don’t think there’s anyone that I look at and say, I want to be like him when I’m older.”
Role as a Red Bull Junior
On the current Formula 2 grid, Lindblad is one of three Red Bull Junior Team Drivers. The others are his Campos Racing teammate Pepe Martí and Oliver Goethe.
The turbulence regarding Red Bull’s Formula 1 teams drivers and seats in recent years is well known. An accelerated graduation to a top seat is therefore not out of the question. Lindblad responded to how prepared he feels about a possible call-up to race in F1.
“To answer your question, I don’t know if I’m ready. I guess we’ll find out. I hope that I get the opportunity one day. That’s kind of the purpose of the junior programme is to, like all of the Formula One teams, promote the young drivers through. I don’t know if I’m ready. I’ve just done two races in F2, so I’m not really thinking about anything beyond at the moment.
Like I said, just focused on trying to perform well in F2 and be competitive because that’s what’s going to give me a much better chance of hopefully getting that call one day.”
Being a Red Bull Junior Team Driver, it is almost inevitable that Lindblad is compared to Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen. When asked how he felt about this comparison, Lindblad shared how he is most concerned with focusing on his driving.
“It’s a good question. To be honest, I don’t really think about it, I don’t really look too much at the news or anything. I don’t know, I just focus on driving, I don’t really know how to answer your question.”
“I want to be the first Arvid Landblad, but it’s just focus on driving fast and doing my best and trying to perform always at a high level. And I think then the rest will take care of itself.”
