Nikola Tsolov Outlines F1 Plan: Reserve Role in 2027, Race Seat in 2028

Nikola Tsolov already has a roadmap to Formula 1: Red Bull and Racing Bulls have confirmed that the Bulgarian driver will be their shared reserve during the 2027 season, a role that will allow him to be in the garage of both teams, work in the simulator, dispute FP1 sessions and accumulate kilometers with cars of previous specifications. The news comes after Racing Bulls confirmed the continuity of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, closing the door to an immediate promotion for Tsolov but opening a clear path for the future.

Red Bull's decision is not a consolation prize. Tsolov, 20 years old, has impressed the Austrian team's leadership with his progression: Formula 3 runner-up in 2025, the Bulgarian competes in his first full season in Formula 2 and remains in the fight for the title with two rounds to be disputed, his performance in the lower categories has convinced Red Bull that he has the necessary talent to reach Formula 1 and his first FP1 session in Mexico, where he left good sensations, confirmed those expectations.

"I am incredibly happy and grateful to Red Bull for giving me this opportunity, since I joined the Junior Team I have received incredible support and I have grown enormously, both as a driver and as a person. My career has progressed at an incredible pace and I owe a lot to everyone who has believed in me and helped me get here. My ambition is clear: I want to become an F1 driver. having the opportunity to spend next year preparing for that next step is incredibly exciting" Tsolov declared.

Laurent Mekies, CEO and team boss of Red Bull, was eloquent when explaining the team's bet on the Bulgarian: "Nikola is an exceptionally talented young driver and we have been enormously impressed by his development and his performances in recent years, fighting for the championship in F3 and now fighting for the F2 title in his first full season says a lot about his ability and determination. What has equally impressed us is his maturity, his approach to racing and his willingness to keep learning and improving" he noted.

Tsolov's role in 2027 will be key to his development, as shared reserve, he will be available to replace Lawson or Lindblad if necessary but will also have the opportunity to accumulate experience in the simulator and on track. Red Bull wants him to arrive in Formula 1 with the right preparation and this year will be fundamental to complete his training: "We have enormous faith in Nikola's potential and we see him as a driver with a very exciting future in F1. This appointment reflects our confidence in him and our commitment to his continued development" Mekies added.

Although his promotion to the grid will not occur immediately, Tsolov's path to Formula 1 seems traced. The Bulgarian has the talent, the support and the determination necessary to succeed. Red Bull believes in him and has given him a clear plan to reach the elite. Meanwhile his immediate objective is to finish the Formula 2 season as high as possible and fight for the title, the future is in his hands.