Formula 1 Invades Phoenix

Not even could ‘Ol Sherriff Joe Arpaio get IndyCar’s to run on Phoenix’s streets nearly two decades ago!

 

Naturally, I was slightly taken aback to discern that 14 years had slipped by since my latest visit to what forever will be Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) to Mwah! Even if its just plain ‘Ol Phoenix Raceway now.

 

Hence why it took some effort to find the accompanying No Fenders post, when partaking in a 2X Seater ride in thee Valley of the Sun Wayback’ in Gory 2012, Aye Karumba!

 

The Tomaso Files: Spinin’ Wheelz, 4-lefts really Does Make a Circle!

 

Still remembering vaguely how I purchased a plane ticket to go to Phoenix for the impending Chump Carz’ race in Gory 2007. When Champ Car world Series was slated to race upon the Streets of Downtown Phoenix on December 2nd. In what would have been the first Open Wheel Racing in Phoenix since 1991, before cancelling this event. Although I went to Phoenix anyways, since it was nice to escape Seattle’s winter weather…

 

While it Slays me that its now Gory 37 years ago since I attended my debutante Formula 1 race in Downtown Phoenix. Attending the aptly named Iceberg Grand Prix on June 4th, 1989, when it was a toasty 104 degrees Fahrenheit, Sheisa!

 

Phoenix’s Iceberg

 

Whilst I still lament skipping the next year’s event. Thinking then, there were another four years to go on the race’s contract. Without knowing that 1991 would be the third and final year for F1, and the last time racing on Phoenix’s streets…

 

RETRO: Phoenix’s last Grand Prix - Two-decades ago almost slipped past

 

Thus, is it just Mwah? Who finds it curious that the Red bull Demonstration Showrun travelling Circus makes its way to the streets of Downtown Phoenix 25 years later! And one week after IndyCar returns to the Valley of the Sun for the first time since 2018?

 

Not to mention just a week after the IndyCar-NASCAR Double Header weekend at Phoenix Raceway. Like is Formula 1 trying to steal IndyCar’s thunder? Or rain on FOX’s cross promotional parade, You make the Call!

 

As the Red bull Showrun will feature Nikola Tsolov and Scott Speed behind the wheel of Red Bull and AlphaTauri F1 machinery.

 

The Red Bull Showrun event Free to the public, runs from 1:00 to 4:00PM, this Saturday, March 14th on Jefferson Street. Running between Central Avenue and Fifth street. And will also include high performance Ford vehicles such as the Mustang GT3 and Lightning Supertruck, amongst the Offroad and racing cars participating…

 

Scott Speed should need no introduction, and perhaps even lives in Arizona? Having won Red Bull’s Drivers search program Wayback’ in Bloody 2002. Becoming the first American in Formula 1 since Michael Andretti in 1993. Driving for Scuderia Toro Rosso between 2006-07.

 

Naturally, Nikola Tsolov’s name is totally “Foreign” to Mwah, having never heard of Him before. As the 19yr old Bulgarian racing driver finished runner-up in Formula 3 last year. Along with making His formula 2 debut at season’s end.

 

Tsolov will contest His rookie season driving for Campos Racing and is a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. Making His debut aboard a Formula 1 chassis last June in a Sofia Showrun, driving a Red Bull RB7.

 

Tsolov like many, will be aspiring to join Arvid Lindblad in formula 1. Having found the following video chronicling Lindblad’s maiden F1 outing during the 2024 Houston Showrun.

 

Which presumably gives a pretty good example of what a Showrun entails…

 

F1 Cars do Doughnuts on Streets of Houston 

F1: Introducing Formula 1’s lone 2026 F1 rookie driver

As just how far will this new F1 Hotschue’ progress?

 

Formula 1 Diehards will already know that this year’s F1 Grid features only one new rookie driver, after last year’s Mega’ class of four, i.e.; Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, remember Him Y’all? And Isack Hadjar. As Oliver Bearman wasn’t a rookie due to having raced three Grands Prix in 2024. And Franco Colapinto had replaced Logan Sargent at Williams the previous season…

 

Arvid Lindblad

Team: Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula 1 Team

Nationality: United Kingdom

Birthplace: Virginia Water, Surrey

DOB: August 8, 2007; Age: 18

Car No. 41

 

Once again, another fresh face Formula Uno rookie Pilote I know nothing about. Other than reportedly He’s another Red Bull Junior Driver prodigy. Having read that current Racing Bulls F1 team Boss Alan Bat’ Permane says He’s very similar to Isack Hadjar, i.e.; Calm, cool ‘n collected. Asking many questions and soaking in everything like a sponge, whilst simply getting on with the “Job”.

 

Arvid’s father Stefan is Swedish, wile His Mum’ Anita is of Indian decent, along with a grandmother who was one of the oldest practicing GP’s in England. Noting He’d like to work on improving His Swedish and Hindi language skills. While He also has a younger brother named Amil.

 

Arvid’s father gave Him a Scooter’ (Motorcycle) at Age 3 before switching to Go Karts at Age 5, beginning at Daytona Sandown Park.

 

In 2015 at Age 9, Arvid began competitive Karting with His mentor being Oliver Rowlan, before winning the 2020 WSK Super Master Series OKJ Class.

 

That was the first of His multiple Karting championships, joining the Red Bull Junior Driver Academy in 2021.

 

Lindblad made His single seater debut in 2022 in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, driving for Van Amersfoort Racing. In 2023, Lindblad secured His first single seater victory in the UAE F4 championship at the Dubai Autodrome.

 

Next, Arvid contested the Italian F4 championship, driving for Prema Racing. Collecting six wins, but ultimately finishing third overall after His massive points lead evaporated.

 

Another win came in the Euro 4 championship, followed by a stellar weekend at Macau. Securing the F4 pole and winning His qualification race. Punctuated by winning the main race the day after.

 

For 2024, Lindblad remained with Prema Racing, graduating to the Formula 3 championship. His teammates were Gabriele Mini and Dino Beganovic.

 

Lindblad scored a Sprint race win in Bahrain. Then claiming His first Feature race win at Barcelona. Before making further history at Silverston, where He became the first F3 driver to win the “Double”. Taking wins in both the Sprint and Feature races and vaulting to second in the championship.

 

Yet what seems to be a tendency of Lindblad’s, He once again faltered down the stretch, not scoring any mor “needed” points results in the final three rounds, and dropping to fourth overall at season’s end.

 

Yet Arvid “Broke His Duck” by crushing the Competizione in the 2025 Formula Regional Oceania Championship with six poles and six wins. Winning His first title by 56points over Kiwi’ Zack Scoular. Whilst Nikita Johnson, who’d been second much of the season, slid to third overall, 65 points adrift of Lindblad.

 

As Johnson will  contest this year’s Indy NXT championship driving for Cape Motorsports Powered by ECR. Along with a fulltime drive for Rahal Letterman Racing in IMSA GTD Pro, aboard their factory McLaren 720S Evo.

 

Lindblad graduated to Formula 2, joining Campos Racing for the 2025 season. Scoring His first win in the Jeddah Sprint race, after Richard Verschoor was penalized.

 

Barcelona was Arvid’s high water mark of the season. Claiming two pole positions and scoring the feature win at Campos home track.

 

Afterwards, a spate of collisions, a disquification, etc. Lindblad ultimately slid to sixth overall by season’s end. Although claiming His second Sprint race victory in Abu Dhabi, netting three wins overall that year.

 

As Arvid’s wins in Formula 3 and Formula 2 made Him the youngest driver ever to do so in both series…

 

Having been a Red Bull Junior Driver member since 2021, Lindblad drove His very first Formula 1 chassis, a Red Bull RB8 during a demonstration run in Houston in 2024.

 

He completed His first private test in an AlphaTauri AT04 at Imola the following February. A second test in the same chassis followed in June.

 

Lindblad took part in a promotional “gimmick” of racing three Leeds United F.C. “Footballers” on foot in a Red Bull RB7 at Elland Raud, also that June. Before Red Bull requested an early FIA Super License for the 17yr old, a la Kimi Antonelli’s earlySuper License dispensation.

 

Arvid made His Free Practice debut at the British Grand Prix, finishing P14 in the morning’s (Free Practice) FP1 session.

 

 

Presumably Lindblad gained Attenzione by finishing sixth in FP1 in Mexico City as Max Verstappen’s “replacement”. Before a third and final FP outing in the season finale on Yas Isle as Yuki Tsunoda’s replacement.

 

Then in December, Racing Bulls announced Lindblad as Liam Lawson’s new Racing Bulls teammate for 2026, before taking part in the post Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Young Drivers test session…