Following an incredible pole position in Friday’s F3 Qualifying in Austria, Tsolov has spoken to numerous media outlets, including Pit Debrief. This weekend marks Tsolov’s first Austrian outing as a Red Bull driver, which hosts pressure, with this being Red Bull’s home track.
Finding pace and hard to work to get there
From the weekend’s start to the conclusion of the F3 Qualifying session, Tsolov has been quick in Austria. The Bulgarian has found a good rhythm and confidence within his Campos machinery, and has found the last few qualifying session have been positive for him.
Tsolov’s closest rivals sit 9 and 33 points behind him, adding to his confidence.
“Yeah, it was quite good, I mean there’s always more on the table, I’ve been quick since FP, since the first push, there wasn’t a lap that I didn’t feel confident with the car, so it’s good to keep going with that rhythm, you know, I’ve been in the top two for the last three qualies, so that’s what we’re looking for in the end.
“It’s also good that my championship rivals are not really close at the moment behind, so yeah, let’s see what we can do in the races because nothing is guaranteed, you know, stuff like Barcelona can happen.”
Mild issues appeared for the Bulgarian in Barcelona, although he believes the time to analyse and reset since then has been beneficial. The issue is seemingly resolved, and pace and performance is consistent.
“I think obviously we’ve been trying to find what was the reason to, because in Barcelona we had an issue in set one and two, I was not really fast and then I did different things on the warm-up in set three, which, you know, pumped me up to P2, so then we had time to analyse, which was good and I think we found most of the things we need and it’s good to show that we have and be consistently up there.”
The time to gain in the championship
Tsolov currently sits second in the 2025 F3 Championship standings, hoping to gain further on his rival Câmara in Austria. The Bulgarian has accumulated 79 points across the first half of the season, in comparison to Câmara’s 109 points.
Barcelona was thought to be Tsolov’s opportunity to pip the Championship leader, although a mistake on the starting grid of the Feature Race, led to him stalling. Câmara starts Sunday’s Feature Race in seventh, giving Tsolov a chance to snatch his Championship lead.
“Yeah, definitely, I already felt that in Barcelona was quite close before the Feature Race, but then obviously tried to go for too much on the start and stalled, so this is, you know, a mistake I learned from and hopefully from now on consistency will be the way to go and, you know, no pressure for tomorrow, it’s a race to learn and see what we can do on Sunday.”
First outing as a Red Bull driver, at Red Bull’s home track
Despite signing with the Red Bull Junior Team late last season, this is Tsolov’s first outing at Red Bull’s home circuit, since becoming one of their drivers. The pole position he has secured continues to show Red Bull his potential, and that he was the right driver to sign.
“Yeah, I think it’s a really good thing, honestly, I had to do well here, you know, a home track for the academy and I think it’s good to show everyone at Red Bull I’m improving and keeping consistent in quality, so far the two most important races of the year, it’s been pole for me, so yeah, just looking to keep doing that and for me, every track has to be the same approach, you know, it doesn’t change much.”
Front row start on Sunday, but a P12 start on Saturday
Although Tsolov will be starting from pole position in Sunday’s F3 Feature Race in Austria, Saturday’s Sprint Race will see him starting P12. This will be an opportunity for learning, and to help him understand how the DRS and overtaking will go for Sunday.
This has not discouraged the Bulgarian for Sunday’s front row start, seeing rival Browning hold the lead from start to end last year in Austria.
“Yeah, race is exciting, thankfully I’ve got the sprint tomorrow to learn and see how the overtaking goes and DRS and stuff, it seems like total this year wasn’t as powerful what it used to be, so going alone wasn’t too bad for me and on the first set especially, so yeah, I’m hoping it’s not big of an effect because, you know, for the important race I’m in front, but we’ll have to see, I mean, it’s always exciting, last year Browning managed to stay in the lead and lead every lap, so I’m looking forward to doing similar things.”
A win at Austria in 2024, and the hopes to repeat in 2025
At the 2024 Austrian GP, Tsolov took home the F3 Sprint Race win. His win last year proves he knows and has what it takes to win around the Red Bull Ring. This has boosted his confidence for Sunday’s Feature Race.
“Yeah, obviously, I won the sprint here last year, and it’s just a sprint, as people say, but you do learn quite a lot, and it gives you a confidence boost, which helps you on later. So, I know how to lead the race here, I know how to win it, so it should be nothing new for me on Sunday.
So, that’s good news, I have the experience, so I’m just looking forward to it. Not much to expect, I have to say.”
Tsolov has a history of repeat wins from one year to the next, most memorably following his 2024 Monaco Feature Race win with another one in 2025.
“Yeah, I would say so. Definitely, it’s a track you know you’ve done well, so it boosts confidence, just like in Monaco, and yeah, so far, I seem to be doing good at the places I’ve won previously, so yeah, I hope to repeat it, just like in Monaco.”
