F1 rookie: “I always believed in it blindly. That’s what happened in the end.”

New Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad talks about the Lando Norris case that went viral five years ago.

In 2021, a video emerged of Lindblad approaching Norris at the Adria Karting Raceway in Italy, shaking his hand and saying:

“Lando, I want you to remember me; see you in five years.”

The then 14-year-old British driver had not yet raced an open-wheeler, but today he is preparing for his first season in Formula 1.

With the support of Red Bull, Lindblad has progressed rapidly in all junior categories and has now reached the pinnacle of motorsport.

The video of Lindblad and Norris became popular again due to its promotion from Formula 2 to F1.

Lindblad described the moment he met Norris as follows:

“Lando actually came to the track himself. He arrived at Adria – that was the name of the track – where the race was held.
He was in Italy and launching himself. [картинговое] chassis, that’s why I came to the track. And yes, I told him I’d see you in five years.
Yeah, it’s a funny little story and now it’s become relevant again.”

The fact that Lindblad is one of the youngest drivers to qualify for Formula 1, at just 18 years old, underlines Red Bull’s confidence in the Briton.

He came first in every category he competed in and broke the record for the youngest F2 race winner.

Lindblad said of the confidence that allowed Norris to make this comment five years ago:

“I don’t know… Maybe it was blind hope or something, but from the moment I started this path at the age of five, I always believed that I could enter Formula 1.

I wanted to enter Formula 1 and I believed I could do it. And yes, I believed that when I was five. I believed it the day I saw Lando when I was 14, and I always believe it to this day.

Frankly, I’m very happy and delighted that this happened and turned into a funny story. But I’m looking forward to starting a new journey.”