Rookie Lindblad reveals ‘special’ connection to Lewis Hamilton ahead of F1 debut
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated:
2 Comments
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
F1 rookie Arvid Lindblad has opened up about his connection to his idol Lewis Hamilton, saying it will be "very special" to race the seven-time champion in 2026.
Lindblad makes his debut this weekend for Racing Bulls in Melbourne, with the young British driver "very happy" to stick to his self-imposed "timeline" on the way to Formula 1.
A video of a 14-year-old Lindblad went viral upon his announcement for F1 2026, where the youngster told McLaren's Lando Norris in 2021: "I want you to remember me, I will see you in five years."
Not Lando, Lewis was 'one I looked up to,' says Lindblad
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
ADVERTISEMENT
As it turns out, however, it is Hamilton who Lindblad looked up to when discovering his passion for F1, as the Racing Bulls driver explained to Sky Sports.
"The story with Lando is quite funny. It's funny how it's come back around," Lindblad said.
"I had a belief when I was five that I could be in Formula 1. I had that same belief that day when I was 14. And obviously I'm very proud now that I've stuck to the timeline and that it’s come true.
"Being honest, Lando wasn’t really the one I looked up to, because Lewis was much more when I was sort of learning about my passion towards racing."
Lindblad, who is of Swedish and Indian heritage, explained his "nice" connection with Hamilton, whose own rookie year in F1 falls on the very same that the Red Bull junior was born.
ADVERTISEMENT
"You know, when I was three, four, five, he was the one who was doing well. I felt a nice connection to him, the year I was born was his rookie year.
"He was of colour, so he was the one who I felt more of a connection towards growing up.
"And yeah, for sure, it'll be very special to share the grid with him this year with all he’s achieved and seeing him on the TV win all those world championships."
Hamilton reveals 'uncomfortable questions' after nightmare Ferrari debut
Meanwhile, Hamilton has spoken to Italian media about his poor Ferrari debut in 2025, opening up about the "uncomfortable questions" he asked himself following the campaign.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nonetheless, Hamilton enters 2026 with more optimism, adding he believes Ferrari "has everything it takes to win" this year.
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on Google
