Arvid Lindblad pays tribute to Oliver Rowland: "It's thanks to him that I'm in F1."

Only one newcomer appears on the grid of Formula 1 This season: Arvid Lindblad. The young Briton has experienced a meteoric rise through the junior formulas: just one year in F3, another in F2 before being signed by Helmut Marko in the second Racing Bulls seat. Despite a mixed season in Formula 1, marked by several blunders and a sixth-place finish in the championship, it was Lindblad who won the game of musical chairs, relegating Yuki tsunoda to the role of reservist for the Austrian firm.

Behind the scenes of this success, one man has been watching over things for almost a decade now: Oliver Rowland. The world champion of Formula E has always been a very present mentor for the rookie. We even assembled a team of karting together. I was practically in contact with him every time I was on track. Then, in F3 and F2, he came to a lot of races. "Lindblad explains to Motorsport Week.

He pursues : " I learned a tremendous amount from him, but it's also very nice to see that we get along well and that he took the time despite his busy schedule. He races in Formula E, he's the current world champion, and yet he comes to many events to help me. For that, I'm very grateful. »

While his protégé secured the coveted Formula 1 entry, Oliver Rowland passed on his entire technical knowledge. In the premier category, Arvid Lindblad must now learn to drive without training wheels, as his mentor's pure expertise stops short of reaching a level he himself was unable to attain.

A pillar outside the track

However, in a sport where media pressure can destabilize young recruits, their psychological support remains invaluable. This is largely thanks to [Oliver Rowland], and to Red Bull also, that I am here today "He says.

Besides his driving skills, Rowland has proven to be a valuable ally for the new Racing Bulls recruit off the track. During race weekends, regarding how to approach things, everything comes from his experience: the approach to marketing, the media, the race weekend, certain situations, and how to manage them mentally, Lindblad points out. A lot of time is taken up by things other than just flying. It's mainly in how to manage all of that that he's helped me enormously.He adds: Even on the psychological side, these are things we worked on together. »

Although the Formula 1 scene has always eluded Oliver Rowland, his unwavering support for Arvid Lindblad will be crucial in the demanding environment of Red Bull, where expectations are extremely high for young drivers.

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