Crash.net is reporting that Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad has drawn comparisons to Lewis Hamilton from a coach who worked with both drivers during their karting careers. Dino Chiesa, who coached Lindblad, Hamilton, and Nico Rosberg at Kart Republic, told The Sun that the young British driver reminds him more of Hamilton's aggressive racing approach than other drivers he's developed.
"I would say he is more like Lewis," Chiesa said. "Nico was very polite and more willing to accept a second-place finish than Lewis or Arvid. Arvid is really aggressive in races; he doesn't wait or calculate everything. When he reaches another driver, he overtakes immediately."
F1 Academy Graduate Making F2 Impact
Lindblad is currently competing in Formula 2 with Prema Racing, having progressed through the junior categories including F1 Academy. The 19-year-old Briton, who has Swedish and British-Indian heritage, is viewed as one of the sport's promising prospects for a future Formula 1 seat.
Chiesa praised Lindblad's technical adaptability from their karting days, noting he "learns quickly and is a technical driver, adapting his braking or style to suit different tyres or chassis" and is "very quick in the rain" - qualities that translate well as drivers progress through the motorsport ladder.
Development Areas for Future F1 Ambitions
Despite the praise, Chiesa highlighted areas where Lindblad needs to mature if he's to reach F1, particularly his diplomatic approach. The coach recalled a karting incident where 14-year-old Lindblad finished second behind a teammate and immediately accused Chiesa of giving the better engine to his rival.
"You have to be polite when you arrive in F1," Chiesa warned. "When you become a Verstappen or Hamilton, you can say what you want, but until then, you have to be more political, and Arvid is no politician."
The comparison highlights Chiesa's unique perspective on driver development, having worked with multiple world champions and current prospects during their formative karting years. As Lindblad continues his F2 campaign with Prema, his performances will be closely watched by F1 teams seeking the next generation of talent.
Source: Crash.net
Source: Crash.net