Arvid Lindblad gets a special FIA Super Licence before turning 18, setting a unique precedent in F1.
- Unlike Colton Herta, Arvid Lindblad met the critical 40-point threshold in racing points but faced an age limitation.
- Lindblad’s impressive performance in various championships garnered him the needed points for the licence.
- The FIA introduced a discretionary rule change, enabling exceptions for young achievers like Lindblad.
- This story highlights the contrasting fates of Lindblad and Herta in their quest for the coveted Super Licence.
In a remarkable turn of events, Arvid Lindblad secured his FIA Super Licence just two months shy of his 18th birthday. The British-Swedish driver is a standout exception, marking the first of its kind since the FIA tightened Super Licence regulations almost a decade ago. This special dispensation came after the World Motor Sport Council recognized Lindblad’s consistent excellence and maturity in single-seater competitions.
Lindblad’s journey to this milestone was not without its hurdles. Despite achieving the necessary 40 racing points—thanks to his stellar performances across multiple championships—Lindblad faced the age barrier which traditionally would have delayed his Super Licence. However, with the introduction of a new rule allowing for discretion in exceptional cases, the FIA granted him the licence ahead of schedule.
This discretionary rule, sometimes informally referred to as the ‘Kimi Antonelli clause,’ was pivotal in Lindblad’s early achievement. It emerged from a need to accommodate young drivers who demonstrate outstanding skills yet fall short of the age requirement by a narrow margin. Lindblad, having accumulated more than the required points and shown undeniable talent, was a prime candidate for this exemption.
The situation contrasts sharply with that of Colton Herta, a prominent IndyCar driver. Herta, despite his impressive track record, could not meet the 40-point threshold necessary for a Super Licence when Red Bull sought an exemption for him in 2022. Herta’s points tally fell short, standing at 29 for the necessary period, and even with a possible four-year extension did not suffice.
Herta’s case underlines a critical requirement by the FIA: recent and consistent performance. While he nearly made it with a boost from his recent successes, the points accrued did not qualify him for the licence at the time of his application. Lindblad, on the other hand, adeptly met the FIA’s stringent performance criteria and leveraged the new clause effectively.
Arvid Lindblad’s swift ascension to the Super Licence spotlights the nuances of FIA’s regulations, painting a clear difference from Colton Herta’s experience.
