Red Bull star heads to NZ
Arvid Lindblad – one of single-seater racing’s most outstanding young prospects – is set to make his Kiwi and Castrol Toyota FR Oceania Championship debut at Taupo Motorsport Park.
The Formula One Red Bull junior is a big-name addition to the 2025 series, and has a remarkable record in karting and in junior formulae.
Lindblad will join the championship’s most successful team – M2 Competition – for the five-weekend competition, which concludes with the 69th NZ Grand Prix at Highlands.
The 17-year-old Brit will be the latest Red Bull junior to compete in the New Zealand championship – a roster than includes names such as Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and Dannil Kvyatt.
Lindblad has been competitive and a winner in almost every championship he has competed in. He was a multiple international karting champion, and a winner in Italian F4, F4 UAE, Euro 4 and Formula Regional Middle East.
He also won the Macau GP in 2023. In 2024, he finished fourth overall in F3 with four wins – one in Bahrain, one in Spain and two at Silverstone.
For 2025, he’ll be stepping up again to a full season of F2 with Campos Racing and, says the trip here and a competitive FR Oceania championship will be the best preparation for the step up to F2.
“I’m really excited to be competing with M2 Competition,” enthuses Lindblad. “The team has been incredibly successful in the past winning many recent championships so there’s no one better to be with.
“It’ll be my first time in New Zealand so all the tracks will be new. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge of these fantastic circuits. The championship has been very successful with many competitors making it to F1, so it’ll be great winter preparation for the F2 Championship this year.”
M2 Competition boss, Jonathan Moury, says Lindblad’s inclusion in the team adds significantly to what’s already a high-quality grid featuring champions and winners from junior formulae, as well as Will Brown, the current Australian Supercars champion.
“We are proud to have Arvid Lindblad join M2 Competition for the Formula Regional Oceania season,” adds Moury. “His progression from F3 to F2 highlights the calibre of talent we can attract and develop in this series.
“It’s a testament to how valuable Formula Regional Oceania is for preparing drivers for the highest levels of motorsport. We are grateful to the Red Bull F1 team for entrusting us with supporting Arvid’s journey.”
The first round of the 2025 Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship takes place from January 10-12 in Taupo.
