‘Just enjoy it’ – Hamilton and Lawson offer advice to Lindblad ahead of debut F1 weekend

Arvid Lindblad has received some words of wisdom from veteran F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and Racing Bulls team mate Liam Lawson ahead of his Formula 1 debut at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Lindblad, 18, is stepping up to the top echelon with Red Bull’s sister team after going from F4 to F3 and F2 over the last three years – the British driver winning races at every level up to this point.

As the experienced Hamilton enters his 20th F1 season, the seven-time World Champion was asked about the biggest thing he has learned in those two decades that he would pass on to Lindblad.

“Firstly, I don’t feel like this is my 20th year – I feel younger than ever somehow, I feel very fresh,” Hamilton began. “Whilst he says he’s 18, I feel like I’m 18 as well. It’s all in the mind, and physically I feel great.

“Sitting here in my first year, I’d say just enjoy it, which he’s probably already doing. It is being thrown into the deep end, because of all the commitments you have, and the circus takes a while to get used to.

“He’s done a great job already through winter testing and obviously deserves to be here. I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses.

“Also, there will be bad days, and just don’t take it too heavily. Obviously you will, because you’re competitive, but there’s nothing you can do about the past. It’s just how you move forwards.”

Lindblad’s first F1 team mate, Lawson, also chipped in with his thoughts after a rollercoaster ride for the New Zealander at Racing Bulls and Red Bull over the last few years.

“I think now you get a lot of preparation for F1, even in junior categories, and he’s done a lot of tests, FP1, stuff like that,” Lawson commented.

“Once you’re in the sport, it’s all of you guys [the media] and all the noise that is around. That’s probably a new thing and a lot more intense than what you’re used to before F1, so find time for yourself, and make sure you’re focused.”

Lindblad is set to take part in his first Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday, with the season-opening Australian Grand Prix scheduled to begin at 1500 local time.