Inside a British F1 hopeful’s record-breaking journey to F2

It was a very good season for me in FIA Method 3. I went in understanding it was going to be actually, actually difficult, as F4 to F3 is a giant leap, I solely did one yr of F4 in Italy, after which straight into F3 with Prema. I needed to be sure that I used to be giving my absolute all the pieces on all fronts.

It wasn’t even about profitable to start with; it was nearly making an attempt to be within the high 10 and be aggressive. We did a extremely good job over the winter, we ready properly, I labored arduous, and I arrived in Bahrain and received my first race.

Profitable on my debut was a particular second, and that crammed me with plenty of confidence, particularly after a tough finish to the 2023 season. It took a little bit of weight off my shoulders, however I knew I nonetheless hadn’t actually achieved something, as a result of, OK, I’d received on my debut, and I feel I used to be the youngest ever F3 race winner [16 years, six months], however it was a dash race. It wasn’t the right characteristic race, so I knew that I nonetheless had to enhance.

From that time on, there was a lot improvement and studying each time I bought within the automotive. I might say all the way in which from my first check at Jerez to Silverstone [in July], I used to be studying, and I used to be getting higher. I broke fairly just a few data throughout the season: the youngest F3 race winner, profitable the one hundredth race of the present period, tied for essentially the most wins in a single season, and the best F3 win share.

It was an excellent yr and I’m proud of the way it went. It was a giant problem moving into, and I handled it, and I used to be in a position to make it work. I’m very grateful to everybody at Crimson Bull, everybody at Prema, and all my assist staff who helped me, as a result of it was a giant problem.

I labored lots with Crimson Bull this yr. The pinnacle of the Driver Academy at Crimson Bull Racing is Guillaume Rocquelin – ‘Rocky’, who was Sebastian Vettel’s race engineer when he received 4 world championships. He’s extraordinarily skilled in motorsport, he is aware of what it takes to be a winner, and what traits you want. He taught me lots on and off monitor, so I’ve to present plenty of because of him as a result of, whereas everybody this yr performed an enormous half, he was probably the most vital individuals.

To return in and have sufficient seat time to be aggressive within the first place will not be straightforward. You actually should study as a lot as you may, each time you’re within the automotive. There are such a lot of extra components it’s important to look into and so many various variables in comparison with F4.

I feel F3 is exclusive, with 30 automobiles and the tyres arguably have the shortest lifespan. There have been so many classes this yr the place it was actually one lap, and it was pointless even doing a second, as a result of they had been gone. You attempt to maximise each alternative to study, and the preparation is super-important.

I’m actually blissful to be a part of the BRDC SuperStars programme. The entire of the British Racing Drivers’ Membership is wonderful. They’ve the SuperStars as a part of it, which provides alternatives to us younger drivers. It’s nice to feed on that information and experience and study from different individuals within the membership who’ve achieved a lot. There are a lot of world champions throughout all disciplines, so it’s been a incredible alternative, and it’s helped me lots this season with the ability to discuss to them.

I’ve been in an Italian staff for the reason that finish of 2019 in karting. It’ll be my first Spanish staff, so I’m wanting ahead to a special tradition and a special environment

I actually loved my time at Prema Racing. I used to be very proud of the staff and the atmosphere, and I didn’t actually need to depart. In the long run, like all of us, I’m making an attempt to get to Method 1, and F2 and F3 are classes that you might want to carry out in. If you happen to don’t, you received’t get that chance.

Crimson Bull have had an excellent collaboration with Campos Racing this yr and I’m excited to be working with them in F2 subsequent yr. They’re a extremely robust staff and all the pieces I’ve seen and all the pieces they’re doing up to now is spectacular, and I feel that’s being translated onto the race monitor. With Isack Hadjar, they’ve received essentially the most characteristic races this season and he was preventing for the title, so I’m actually wanting ahead to subsequent yr. I do know I’m in a very good place and I’ve bought a extremely good staff round me.

It’s going to be an fascinating dynamic, as a result of I’ve been in an Italian staff for the reason that finish of 2019 in karting. It’ll be my first Spanish staff, so I’m wanting ahead to a special tradition and a special environment, however ultimately, from what I’ve seen up to now, they’re actually hungry to win, and that’s all that issues. It doesn’t matter what race, nationality or what gender you’re.

I need to win, and I need to have that shared curiosity and keenness with the individuals I work with – that’s what excites me most.

Can Lindblad go a step additional and lightweight up the timing sheets in F2 subsequent yr?

Picture by: Crimson Bull Content material Pool