Red Bull-affiliated Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad has credited his mentor Oliver Rowland for helping his career progression, saying the Formula E title-leader is “like family” to him.
The 17-year-old Brit, who also has Swedish and Indian lineage, is currently third in the F2 title standings, just eight points off the lead, currently held by Alex Dunne.
Lindblad, who drives for Campos Racing, has been part of Red Bull’s Junior Team since 2021, and finished fourth in the Formula 3 championship last year, taking six wins and a further six podiums.
Lindblad’s connection to Rowland began ten years ago, when the Nissan driver brought him into his own go-karting team, Oliver Rowland Motorsport, which subsequently also featured his FE counterpart, NEOM McLaren’s Taylor Barnard.
The teenager is highly rated by Red Bull boss Christian Horner, and with good reason, taking victories in the Jeddah Sprint and, just last weekend, in the Feature Race in Barcelona.
When asked by Motorsport Week for an insight into the guidance and advice Rowland has given him, Lindblad was full of compliments for the Barnsley-born driver, who currently leads the FE standings by 68 points with just five races left.
“I’m very fortunate to be working with Oli,” he said. I’ve known Oli since I was seven, so we go way back. To be honest, at this point, he’s almost more like family than anything.
“It wasn’t that long ago that he was racing here in F2, so he knows the game very well. He’s currently racing in Formula E. He’s in the championship there, so he’s very experienced in motorsport. He knows what he’s doing.
“And me being quite young and inexperienced, having his guidance has helped me a lot to come through the ranks and perform well.
“So yeah, I’m extremely lucky and fortunate to be working with Oli. And he’s played a massive part in my development and helped me to be where I am today.”
READ MORE – Arvid Lindblad converts pole into first F2 Feature Race win in Spain
Discussion about this post