Arvid Lindblad, an 18-year-old British racer, expressed nerves prior to his Free Practice 1 session at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Driving Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, Lindblad aimed to navigate the pressure of the championship implications. This session marked Lindblad’s second appearance in FP1, following his debut at Silverstone in July.
Lindblad’s Performance at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
During the FP1 session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Lindblad achieved significant improvement. He secured P6 in the standings, a notable achievement considering he finished P14 in his previous outing. This result made him the top rookie driver of the session.
Nervous Yet Positive Outlook
Reflecting on his performance, Lindblad admitted to feelings of anxiety but remained focused. He noted the importance of avoiding mistakes and providing strong feedback to the team. “I focused on just trying to keep it clean and give good feedback, also to be towards the front end of the timesheets,” he stated.
Challenges Faced During FP1
- Lindblad faced challenges managing traffic on a crowded track.
- He received a warning for impeding fellow rookie Pato O’Ward during Turn 9.
- He admitted the experience of working in a chaotic environment was difficult.
Despite these challenges, Lindblad remained optimistic about his performance. “I think they were quite happy,” he said regarding the Red Bull team’s feedback. “The pace was decent, and it’s back in one piece.”
What’s Next for Lindblad
As he prepares for the rest of the race weekend, Lindblad looks to build on his solid performance. “I think from my side there’s not really much more I could do,” he concluded. The rookie’s efforts and feedback could play a crucial role as the championship battle unfolds.
