)
Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad swapped his Formula 1 car for a World Rally Championship machine at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, describing the experience as "incredible."
The Racing Bulls rookie took to the wheel of an M-Sport-Ford Puma Rally1 car to tackle the event's tight and winding 3-kilometer forest gravel stage, designed by the late 1983 World Rally Champion Hannu Mikkola.
Lindblad initially rode shotgun for a pass through the stage alongside M-Sport-Ford WRC star Jon Armstrong, before taking the wheel himself. The 18-year-old driver stated that the experience gave him a new appreciation for the skill and talent of rally drivers. The Briton also revealed that rallying is something he has admired for some time and would consider pursuing after his F1 career.
“It was incredible, so thanks to Jon and the guys here for the opportunity, as it’s my first time doing anything like this,” Lindblad said during the Goodwood Festival of Speed live broadcast.
“We drive pretty fast in Formula 1, and I wouldn’t say I was scared, but I was very much out of my comfort zone and very surprised. It was just incredible to experience it; it’s so different from what we’re used to, so just to get an insight into these guys. It’s so different. It was a lot of fun.”
“Rallying is something I’m learning more and more about, and I’ve actually started to like rallying more recently. It’s something I’d potentially like to try one day after I’m done with my current endeavors,” he added.
“Having now tried it for the first time, I have an even greater admiration for what these guys do, because the cameras and onboard footage don’t really show it. It’s incredible, it’s so fast and you’re so close to the trees, it’s quick and it’s really impressive what these drivers do.”
Meanwhile, Armstrong, who is in his debut season in the WRC's top tier, relished the opportunity to share his Puma with Lindblad, who made his F1 debut this year.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to give Arvid a ride, and it was nice to see how much he enjoyed the experience from a driving perspective,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong will return to action this week as the WRC heads to Estonia for the season's first fast gravel rally.
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)
,fit(112:112)&format=webp)