Arvid Lindblad’s 5-year-old promise to Lando Norris comes true with dream Red Bull promotion

Arvid Lindblad’s Formula 1 entry with Racing Bulls in 2026 will also fulfil a promise made by the British-Swedish driver to McLaren’s Lando Norris. The 18-year-old British driver has earned his F1 debut after a sharp rise through the junior ranks, completing Red Bull’s reshuffled 2026 grid.

Lindblad’s move came after RB promoted Isack Hadjar to partner Max Verstappen, with Racing Bulls pairing Lindblad with Liam Lawson for next season. Yuki Tsunoda has lost his seat but remains within the organization as a reserve across both squads. The announcement confirms one of Red Bull’s youngest-ever F1 promotions, something Lindblad himself foretold as a teenager.

“I’ll see you in five years”: Arvid Lindblad’s message to Lando Norris turns true

In 2021, when Arvid Lindblad was still competing in karting at Adria in Italy, he crossed paths with Lando Norris during a paddock visit. The teenager told the McLaren driver that he would meet him again on an F1 grid in five years.

After his promotion was confirmed, an old clip resurfaced, reposted by The Athletic’s Luke Smith with the caption:

“I want you to remember me, I’ll see you in five years.” Arvid Lindblad has kept his promise to Lando Norris 👏.

The years that followed have shown the same pattern. Arvid Lindblad won the WSK Super Master Series under the guidance of Formula E racer Oliver Rowland in 2020, followed by the WSK Euro Series crown in 2021. It led to his selection in the Red Bull academy the same year.

Lindblad’s single-seater path moved quickly. From a breakthrough F4 season that ended with a Macau win in 2023, to a historic FIA Formula 3 campaign with PREMA in 2024, including the first full Silverstone sweep in the series.

Formula 2 in 2025 brought another leap. Lindblad started the year with points in most rounds and claimed standout wins in Jeddah and Barcelona. A Monza podium added further weight to his case. His rapid progress earned him a rare super-licence dispensation at 17, similar to Kimi Antonelli, as Red Bull prepared him for the next step.

The teenager heads to the Abu Dhabi F2 finale sixth in the standings, already knowing the seat he will occupy in Formula 1.

Arvid Lindblad looks ahead to 2026: “It was always my goal to be in Formula 1”

Beyond the F2 season, Arvid Lindblad also handled early Formula 1 responsibilities. He completed practice outings at Silverstone and Mexico in 2025, with his P6 finish in Mexico standing as the best rookie result of that session. It was the clearest sign that he could manage the step up. After his race seat for 2026 was confirmed, he reflected on the move, via F1:

“Since I started this journey at five years old, it was always my goal to be in Formula 1 so it’s a proud moment to take this step… 2026 will be a big challenge and I know there’s a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work closely with the team and rise to it.”

Lindblad’s promotion comes at a time when Red Bull continues its pattern of firm and quick decisions. Yuki Tsunoda moves into a reserve role after five years of service, while Lawson stays on in Racing Bulls’ youthful lineup. The team expects the Briton to learn fast and adapt to a grid that will enter a new regulatory era in 2026.