Lindblad will race the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in a Diwali helmet

For the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, Arvid Lindblad will be making his way to the track in a special Diwali helmet. The Racing Bulls driver has put on show a one-off piece for the occasion, seeing as race day is Diwali. He has had an input in its design, drawing on rangoli patterns of his own making from over the years, one of them hailing from last year’s festival. The diya, the lamp that stands for light, hope, and joy, is to be seen at the front and back with a lotus and fireworks in attendance. A phulkari pattern is also in evidence below; that is a nod to his grandmother and her Punjabi heritage. “It is a way of honoring the family roots that are part of me,” said Lindblad, who is British and Swedish, and Indian through his mother.

The team has put its own stamp on it too. In the Interlagos garage a rangoli with a lotus and diya is displayed above his name, while there is a “Happy Diwali” sticker on the halo of car 41.

Lindblad comes to Brazil the sole rookie of the 2026 grid, 5 days after retiring from the Mexico City Grand Prix in a collision with Oscar Piastri, an incident that cost the latter a 10-second penalty.