Arvid Lindblad will become the latest member of Red Bull’s Junior Team to drive a Formula 1 at a grand prix weekend tomorrow.

However the 17-year-old admits his inspiration growing up was a driver who has never driven for – and often competed against – Red Bull’s drivers.

“It’s perhaps a little controversial given my current position but, having grown up English and partly of colour, Lewis Hamilton was the driver I most related to,” Lindblad told Red Bull-owned publication Red Bulletin.

“Also, he started racing in F1 the year I was born, so irrationally I felt some sort of connection. If I’m being honest, he’s the one I’ve always been a big fan of.”

Lindblad hadn’t reached his first birthday when Hamilton scored his first victory on home ground at Silverstone in 2008. Tomorrow the pair will share the track during the opening practice session for the British Grand prix.

While amassing seven world championship titles and 105 grand prix victories, Hamilton has also been keen to promote the next generation of young black and ethnic minority competitors into F1 at all levels. He launched the Hamilton Commission five years ago to investigate the reasons for under-representation of different groups in motorsport and later launched a charitable initiative, Ignite, with his former team Mercedes to promote diversity and inclusion.

As Red Bull’s leading driver in Formula 2, Lindblad is well-placed to gain a promotion to the F1 grid next year – or potentially sooner. He said he views his future rivals differently now.

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“My mindset has changed a bit as I’ve come through the ranks,” said Lindblad. “I wouldn’t say I have any idols in F1 at the moment, but there’s a group of young-ish drivers who are all extremely impressive to watch.

“You have Max [Verstappen], Carlos [Sainz Jnr], Charles [Leclerc], George [Russell], Lando [Norris], Oscar [Piastri]… They race hard. It’s exciting and aggressive and ever so impressive.”

Lindblad will drive Yuki Tsunoda’s car in first practice on Friday. “To be making my F1 debut as a British driver, on a British track, in front of a British crowd, is going to be really amazing,” he said.

“My aim is to get up to speed in the car really quickly, get Yuki good data to help him across the weekend, lead the team in a good direction and try to drive quickly as well. I can’t wait to hit the track and get going.”

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