Arvid Lindblad Relishes Career-Best Qualifying Position of P8 at Spa

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls’ rising star, has clinched a personal milestone by qualifying eighth for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. The young British driver described this feat as "one of the best feelings" he's experienced in his rookie season. At just 18, Lindblad has been turning heads all season, with notable starts including ninth positions in Australia, Canada, and Great Britain. However, his 1:45.143 lap at Spa marks his highest qualifying achievement yet.

The qualifying result will see Lindblad actually starting seventh on the grid, thanks to Lando Norris receiving a 10-place grid penalty. Lindblad attributes his strong performance to the recent upgrades on his Racing Bulls car, which includes a new sidepod, roll hoop, and brake drum designed to enhance airflow.

Reflecting on the session, Lindblad said, "It was a really good session. From FP1, I felt good with the car. Honestly, it’s been one of the best feelings I’ve had this year, alongside Barcelona and Canada, and Melbourne. The team has done a fantastic job providing us with a solid package, and I felt in the zone from the start of qualifying. We didn’t even need a second set of tires in Q2, which is quite an achievement for us."

Though pleased, Lindblad couldn't help but ponder what might have been. "Part of me is a little bit gutted because I think if I did a perfect job, I could have maybe just pipped Oscar Piastri. But even so, I think I was driving really well out there," he admitted.

Team Principal Alan Permane had previously indicated that Lindblad would benefit from the cooling update over teammate Liam Lawson. This decision was based on Lindblad's consistent performances, including outqualifying Lawson at Silverstone. Lawson finished P11 in the session, using older components.

Looking ahead to the race, Lindblad remains focused on capitalizing on his strong starting position. "That’s what we are all focused on now," he said. "With Lando and Isack Hadjar facing grid penalties, we should start a bit further up. The car is fast, the team is doing a good job, so it’s about staying focused on the basics, and we should be fine."