Lindblad:Baku Pushes You to the Edge

Arvid Lindblad is quickly making a name for himself in Formula 2, showcasing remarkable talent and maturity in his debut season. His blend of raw speed and calm determination has already turned heads across the paddock. While in Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, we caught up with Lindblad to talk about tackling the demanding city circuit, his racing mindset, and the goals driving his journey forward. —How do you mentally prepare before a big race weekend? We usually have meetings with the team, and at home I also do some preparations based on previous races. I try to put myself in a good headspace and make sure I fully understand the track. Especially on a circuit like this,which is very technical, it’s difficult to get a proper feel for it outside of the race weekend itself. —Which driver do you look up to the most, and why? Growing up, Lewis was the driver I looked up to, mainly because he was a person of color, which I felt a connection to, and he was already in Formula 1 when I was born, performing at a very high level. He was the first driver I admired. But as I grew up in the sport, I started looking more towards Max Verstappen. Actually, I don’t idolize any driver in Formula 1, but I do respect them especially Max and the level he is racing at right now. It’s absolutely unbelievable, and I don’t think we’ve seen anything like it before in Formula 1. —What do you like about the Baku City Circuit? I think I enjoy everything about this track, especially the challenge it brings, because it’s so different from what I’m used to, particularly in Formula 2. It’s demanding in many ways the braking can feel tricky, the car feels unsettled over the bumps, and in mixed conditions, like when half the track is dry and half is wet, it gets quite sketchy. Mentally, it’s very tough because you’re constantly pushing the car to the limit under braking. But my favorite part of the circuit is definitely Sector 2, especially from Turn 8 through the end of the castle section around Turn 12 or 13. That part is really technical, narrow, and unique, and I find it incredibly enjoyable to drive. Interview by: Aynur Mehdiyeva