Nikola Tsolov Participates in Second TPC, Pushes Harder For a 2027 Seat

Nikola Tsolov, one of the rumored frontrunners for the Racing Bulls 2027 seat, will drive for the team during a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) session at the Hungaroring on November 11 and 12. Tsolov is reportedly driving an older Honda-powered Formula 1 car, although the precise chassis year has not been confirmed yet

A TPC programme allows F1 teams to run cars from previous seasons. It is usually held in private, giving current drivers, reserve drivers, and young prospects more experience behind the wheel. 

For reserve drivers, a TPC helps ensure that they are up to par with real F1 machinery, not just the simulators that they typically practice on. Then, for prospects like Tsolov, a session gives F1 engineers the opportunity to observe how young drivers adapt to F1 cars and communicate technical feedback. The TPC can help them understand tyre management, braking, steering inputs, and car behavior.

So, this isn't just something that Tsolov will walk on the park. His TPC performance in Hungary could be crucial in his chances of landing a seat in F1 next year.

The Bulgarian racing driver's first taste of an F1 car happened back in August of this year, when he completed a similar TPC programme with the Racing Bulls in Imola. He completed a total of 690 kilometers on his first TPC day at the famed Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

Tsolov would also participate in Free Practice 1 of the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix, driving Liam Lawson's car. The 19-year-old impressed right away, setting the 12th-fastest time of the session, which was the best among the junior drivers outside the top four teams.

Moreover, he became the first Bulgarian to officially participate in an F1 race weekend. 

Oh, it's very real. There's a reason why the Racing Bulls are holding off on confirming Lawson for 2027, despite the Kiwi driver's stellar and consistent performance this season.

That reason is Tsolov, who is primed for an inevitable transition to Formula One. Tsolov joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2025 and brought with him a strong list of credentials. He dominated the 2022 Spanish F4, placed second in the 2025 Formula 3 Championship, and is currently also second in the Formula 2 Drivers' Championship.

If Tsolov does well in the TPC at Hungaroring, he will surely give Lawson a run for his money.