Hamilton’s influence behind Lindblad’s bold message to Norris revealed

14:29, 21 Dec

byTobia Elia

Arvid Lindblad has revisited the now-famous remark he directed at Lando Norris five years ago.

“I took a bit of inspiration from the Lewis Hamilton–Ron Dennis story, when he told him he’d drive one of his cars one day”

- Arvid Lindblad

Back in 2021, the young British prospect approached an equally young Lando Norris with a line that would later go viral: “I want you to remember me, I’ll see you in five years”

Speaking in an interview with Autocar India, Arvid Lindblad revisited that now-famous remark ahead of his Formula 1 debut next season with Racing Bulls: “It’s funny how it’s all sort of come back around now. I remember Lando came to the track in 2021 — he was launching his own chassis and came to one of the races.

“I saw him in the paddock and I was with a friend, and when I said I wanted to go up to Lando, he told me, ‘No, you’re not brave enough, you haven’t got the balls.’ I just wanted to prove him wrong.

Arvid Lindblad - Photo: RacePictures

“So I went up to Lando and the first thing that came out was, ‘Don’t wait to remember me — I’ll see you in five years.’

Lindblad ultimately admitted that the moment was inspired by Lewis Hamilton, recalling when the Brit showed his confidence by telling his former McLaren bosses that one day he would drive for them.

“I took a bit of inspiration from the Lewis Hamilton–Ron Dennis story, when he told him he’d drive one of his cars one day. I wouldn’t say I’d calculated it, but I knew what was within reach at that point, and how quickly I could come through the ranks if I performed well and everything went to plan.”

Lindblad gets little time to rest ahead of his F1 debut

On the Tuesday between the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, it was officially confirmed that Arvid Lindblad will step up as a full-time Racing Bulls driver for the 2026 season. The Brit capped off the announcement in style in Abu Dhabi, clinching victory in the Formula 2 Sprint Race at the Yas Marina Circuit.

The Brit ultimately wrapped up his F2 campaign sixth in the standings — a season shaped by a few costly mistakes, but also by flashes of genuine class that convinced Red Bull Racing to back him for next year, slotting him in at Faenza alongside Liam Lawson.

There will be little time to savour the moment, however. By his own admission, Lindblad faces a packed programme before the new season gets underway with the first pre-season test in Barcelona at the end of January.

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