Britain's youngest F1 driver on his debut season so far - and learning to skateboard

Arvid Lindblad was supposed to be driving at 200mph around the streets of Jeddah in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend.

But Britain's youngest Formula 1 driver's had an unexpected month off just three races into his debut season.

The 18-year-old tells BBC Newsbeat he's been reflecting on how he's done so far, as well as hanging out with friends and learning to skateboard.

But he says he's looking forward to getting back on the grid, having his Drive to Survive moment and competing in a home Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Lindblad made his debut at the Australian GP in Melbourne last month, scoring points for his Racing Bulls team by finishing eighth.

So with only three races under his belt, Lindblad tells Newsbeat he's not got used to describing himself as an F1 driver yet.

"I don't think it's fully sunk in," he says.

"This is something I've been working towards my whole life. So the fact it's come true is extremely special, extremely cool."

And Lindblad says he can't wait to get back to racing again in the US in a fortnight.

"What I'm most looking forward to is getting back into the car in Miami," he says.

"I've enjoyed the break but racing is my passion. It's probably what makes me happiest."

Eagled-eye fans have noticed Lindblad's racing helmet has three flags on the back - for England, Sweden and India.

He grew up in Virginia Water in Surrey but his dad's Swedish and his family's Indian heritage comes from his mum's side.

"I've really been surrounded by all three cultures. It's shaped me into the person and driver I am today," he says.

Lindblad has a few months to wait until his first home Grand Prix – at Silverstone in July – something he says will "be really special".

"My whole family will be there. I think racing at home, there's no real feeling like it."

But somewhere he won't be able to race this season is another place that means a lot to him – India.

The Buddh International Circuit hosted races in in Uttar Pradesh for three seasons but ended in 2013.

Lindblad went to Delhi with Racing Bulls in pre-season and says getting the chance to race there would be "really cool".

"I race under the British flag so having one home race is pretty cool, if there were to be a second one that'd be really special as well," he says.

"I don't know the ins and outs of it, or how realistic it is, but it would mean a lot to me."

Earlier this week, an Indian government minister claimed there would be an India Grand Prix next year.

Lindblad's so new to the sport that he hasn't even taken part in what's become a rite of passage for F1 drivers – introducing himself to the Drive to Survive cameras.

The Netflix documentary series follows F1 every season and Lindblad says he's looking forward to his moment in the spotlight.

"Drive to Survive started when I was 10, when I was in the beginning of my karting journey," he says.

"So I've watched loads of those clips and to be able to sit in that chair will be really cool at some point."

Lindblad says the "vibes are good" in the garage alongside teammate Liam Lawson, but it's four-time world champion Max Verstappen he's clicked with.

"His journey to F1 was quite similar to mine, we both came in at a young age and rose through the ranks quite quickly," he says.

"He's been really good on that side if I needed some advice or had a question."

Whatever happens this season, it doesn't seem like Lindblad's going to be swapping the cockpit for something slower like his skateboard any time soon.

"I can ride on the board very comfortably now, I can go on ramps, I can't go all the way up but I am pretty decent," he says.

"I said by the end of the year if I could learn how to do a kickflip that would be pretty cool."

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