F1Weekly Podcast # 936

NASIR RETURNS FROM THE GRAND PRIX OF ALABAMA WITH A FULL GOODIE BAG MOTORSPORTS MONDIAL HAS A DANIKA UPDATE AND THIS WEEKS INTERVIEW IS WITH INDY LIGHTS DRIVER LINUS LUNDQVIST!

Sweden’s Linus Lundqvist is a triple single-seater champion, clinching the 2020 Formula Regional Americas title, the 2018 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship and the 2016 Formula STCC Nordic crown. He finished third overall as a rookie in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires championship in 2021 and returns to the INDYCAR support series again in 2022, racing for HMD Motorsports. 

From Stockholm, Sweden, Linus won the Formula STCC Nordic single-seater title in 2016, before descending on the UK in 2017 for an attack on the Formula 4 British Championship. Despite suffering a sequence of frustrating technical setbacks, he finished fifth overall in his rookie year, claiming five race wins and 11 podiums. His pace was further underpinned by five pole positions and nine fastest race laps – the most out of all drivers in the series.

2018 saw the success story reverberate in resounding style. The step up to British Formula 3, one of the world’s most esteemed junior single-seater series, emphatically confirmed the potential of a future star. Winning the very first race of his rookie F3 season, victories kept coming aplenty throughout the campaign, culminating in the ultimate reward: the championship title.

Becoming the first Swede since Stefan Johansson in 1980 to win the coveted championship, Linus follows in the wheel tracks of motoring greats such as Jackie Stewart, Ayrton Senna and Mika Häkkinen as champions of British Formula 3.

Adding to his 2018 success, Linus also won the Sunoco Whelen Challenge; one of motorsport’s most valuable prizes worth more than $250 000 in the form of a Rolex 24 At Daytona drive. He duly took up his prize to complete his maiden endurance race during the American 24-hour classic in January 2019, driving a Lamborghini Huracán GT3.

Linus’ main 2019 programme, however, revolved around the increasingly popular Euroformula Open single-seater series, featuring an attractive calendar that took in some of Europe’s top racing venues. Finishing fifth overall, and second among the rookies, it marked another valuable experience.

2020 saw Linus debut on the American single-seater arena, moving across the Atlantic to compete in the Formula Regional Americas championship. Dominating the campaign en route to 15 wins from 17 races, Linus established five new track records and led the way in every single qualifying session of the year.

For 2021, Linus used a Honda scholarship to step up to the INDYCAR-supporting Indy Lights championship. Winning the first and final races of the season, and again at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway in between, he rounded out the campaign third overall and was awarded a maiden INDYCAR test on November 1 with Andretti Autosport.

Linus returns to Indy Lights in 2022 for a fresh title attack, racing for HMD Motorsports.

Play Podcast: 05-03-22f1weekly936.mp3