Racing Bulls driver in Formula 1, Arvid Lindblad revealed that he would like to one day turn to rallying, a discipline he increasingly appreciates after a first experience during the recent Festival of Speed.
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The 18-year-old Briton discovered the sensations of the World Rally Championship (WRC) by taking a seat alongside Jon Armstrong in an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 at Goodwood.
Several F1 drivers have tried their hand at rallying in recent years, including Kimi Räikkönen and Robert Kubica, even if it was at different stages of their respective careers.
This first experience left a mark on him
“It was incredible, so a big thank you to Jon and the whole team for this opportunity. It was the first time I experienced something like that. In Formula 1, we drive very fast, but I had never been… I wouldn’t say scared, but really outside of my comfort zone. I was totally impressed,” Lindblad explained.
The young driver highlighted how much rallying differs from Formula 1, especially due to the proximity to trees and obstacles: “It’s so different from what we know. It made me appreciate all the talent of these drivers. Onboard cameras don’t really convey the reality: everything goes extremely fast, the trees and hedges are very close. It’s really impressive.”
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Lindblad admits to becoming more interested in rallying over the months and does not rule out making it his next challenge once his Formula 1 career is over: “ I’m enjoying rallying more and more because I’m learning more about this discipline. It’s something I would eventually like to do once I’m done with my current career. This first experience gives me even more respect for what these drivers achieve.”
Goodwood, crossroads of passions
Jon Armstrong, driver for the Ford M-Sport team in WRC (photo above), was also very impressed by Lindblad’s attitude: “He really loved the car and I think he would like to try rallying more. After that, whether he actually does it is another story. It was a pleasure to work with him, he’s a very nice guy. It’s always interesting to meet Formula 1 drivers, because it then makes you want to follow their performances,” said the Irishman.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed has become a privileged meeting place for exchanges between disciplines. Before Lindblad, his teammate Liam Lawson had already taken the wheel of a Ford Puma Rally1 in 2025, while Esteban Ocon had tried a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 the previous year.
Armstrong also took advantage of the event to promote rallying to the general public: “We have to keep growing our sport. At Goodwood, I try to show the spectacular side of rallying by sliding the car as much as possible. Our discipline is very dynamic and it’s important to highlight this show, not just the speed. Goodwood is an excellent showcase to attract new enthusiasts to rallying. ”
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