Photo: Red Bull
Red Bull has decided on the line-up of its second Formula 1 team, Racing Bulls, for 2027 and put Formula 2 racer Nikola Tsolov in a reserve driver role.
Racing Bulls’ team principal Alan Permane had called Red Bull junior Tsolov “ready to go” for promotion to an F1 race seat, but the strong performances of the team’s current drivers in its most competitive season yet delayed decision-making for 2027.
After Liam Lawson started third and finished seventh in last weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, his Racing Bulls seat was secured for another year alongside rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad.
That was confirmed today, with Red Bull’s plans for Tsolov announced a few hours later. The 19-year-old will be reserve driver for the company’s title-winning team Red Bull Racing as well as Racing Bulls.
“In his new role, Nikola will undertake an extensive development programme, combining simulator and development work with valuable track experience through free practice sessions, testing of previous cars, selected test sessions and tyre testing,” according to Red Bull. “Alongside his responsibilities as a reserve driver, the programme is designed to ensure he is fully prepared to race in F1 at the highest level.”
Tsolov’s first running in an F1 car came last year when he demoed an old Red Bull chassis during a showrun in his home country Bulgaria.
His official F1 test debut was this August, in last year’s Racing Bulls VCARB 02 car at Imola. It has been reported he also tested at the Hungaroring this week.
In the Tsolov-focused announcement, Red Bull Racing’s team principal Laurent Mekies called him “an exceptionally talented” driver who has impressed with his pace, “his maturity, his approach to racing and his willingness to keep learning and improving”.
“We have enormous belief in Nikola’s potential and see him as a driver with a very exciting future in F1,” he added. “This appointment reflects our confidence in him and our commitment to his continued development. Our focus in 2027 will be on giving him the experience, tools and support he needs to be ready to race in F1 next.”
Tsolov is second in F2’s standings, seven points from the top. The last two rounds in the Middle East are set to go ahead, despite security concerns, and should he win the title Tsolov would be barred from returning to F2 next year.
After becoming FIA Formula 3 Championship runner-up in his third season, Tsolov joined F2 for the last two rounds of 2025 and made the podium. He drove for Campos Racing, and continued with the team for 2026. He has won six races and claimed three other podiums this year.
“Having the opportunity to spend next year preparing for that next step [of racing in F1] is incredibly exciting,” said the Bulgarian. “I’m confident that with the [Red Bull Junior Team]’s support and experience, I’ll have the best possible preparation to make sure I’m fully ready to take the next step onto the F1 grid when the time comes.”