Arvid Lindblad made history on April 19, 2025, by winning the Jeddah Formula 2 sprint race, becoming the youngest driver to do so at just 17 years, 8 months, and 11 days. This remarkable achievement surpassed Théo Pourchaire's previous record by 21 days, marking a significant milestone in the world of motorsport.
The race unfolded dramatically, particularly for Richard Verschoor, who started from pole position and initially maintained his lead. However, the race took a turn when he was penalized for forcing another driver off track, ultimately dropping him to fourth place. Lindblad's victory came after a thrilling series of overtakes and strategic maneuvers, showcasing his skill and determination.
Verschoor's race began strongly as he held off challenges from Gabriele Minì and Pepe Martí, who were in hot pursuit. Martí, starting in third, quickly overtook Minì to secure second place, while Lindblad, who started sixth, climbed to fourth by the end of the first lap. The early stages of the race were marred by a collision between Cian Shields and Rafael Villagómez at Turn 1, leading to a virtual safety car on lap two.
As the race resumed on lap three, Lindblad seized the opportunity to pass Minì, using DRS to his advantage. Meanwhile, Martí made a bold move to take the lead from Verschoor on lap four, but Verschoor retaliated on the following lap, reclaiming the top spot. Unfortunately for him, this maneuver resulted in a five-second penalty for forcing Martí off track, which would later impact his final standing.
On lap eight, Martí's struggle continued as he went wide at Turn 8, allowing Lindblad to move into second place. Lindblad's teammate, Martí, attempted to regain his position but faced fierce competition from both Minì and Roman Staněk, who were eager to capitalize on any mistakes. The race saw its first safety car deployment on lap 16 after Jak Crawford collided with Minì, further complicating the battle for positions.
After the restart on lap 18, Verschoor managed to hold off Lindblad, but the looming penalty meant that Lindblad was still in contention for the win. As the laps wound down, Lindblad maintained his pace and focus, ultimately crossing the finish line first after the penalty was applied to Verschoor. He finished 0.578 seconds ahead of Martí, who secured second place, while Alexander Dunne rounded out the podium in third.
“I still wanted to try and win on track, but he was just a bit faster in the last couple of laps,” Lindblad remarked about Verschoor's situation. “So [it was] not the way I want to win.” Despite the circumstances, Lindblad's victory solidified his status as a rising star in the sport.
This win not only marked Lindblad's first victory in Formula 2 but also made him the only rookie to have won in Jeddah since Oscar Piastri did it when the track was first introduced. Lindblad's journey in single-seaters began in 2023, and he has quickly adapted to the challenges presented by new tracks, thanks to extensive preparation with his team.
“I’m still quite young and inexperienced, so I feel like every year I’m learning new tracks. On that side, I don’t think there was anything new,” he said in an interview with Feeder Series. “It’s about a lot of preparation in the sim and with the team, and just sort of sending it when you have to.”
The Campos Racing team celebrated their first 1-2 finish in F2 history, a feat they hadn't achieved since 2016. Lindblad and Martí's strong performance has raised expectations for the team as they head into future races. “I still think we have a little bit of work to do tomorrow because Richard was really strong, but it gives me a lot of confidence,” Lindblad stated. “We still have a bit to improve in the car. I think we’re not the quickest. Certainly, Richard was far ahead of us today. I think we have to do a small step forward for tomorrow,” Martí added.
Looking ahead, both drivers expressed optimism about their potential to challenge for top results in the upcoming races. With the season still young, the Campos team is eager to build on their success in Jeddah and continue their momentum as they aim for the championship.
As the dust settles on this exhilarating sprint race, motorsport fans are left buzzing with excitement about Lindblad's record-breaking achievement and the fierce competition that lies ahead in the F2 calendar. With promising performances from young talents like Lindblad and Martí, the future of Formula 2 looks brighter than ever.
In conclusion, Lindblad's historic win in Jeddah not only highlights his exceptional talent but also sets the stage for an exciting season filled with potential rivalries and thrilling races. The motorsport world will be watching closely as these young drivers continue to carve their names into the annals of racing history.
