Nikola Tsolov is no stranger to being ahead of his age. As one of the most exciting talents to emerge from Eastern Europe in recent years, the 18-year-old Bulgarian has steadily climbed the motorsport ladder with a blend of natural speed, fierce determination, and relentless professionalism. Currently competing in the 2025 FIA F3 Championship with Campos Racing under the Red Bull Junior Team banner, Tsolov sits third in the standings with 91 points. With only three rounds remaining, he has placed himself firmly in contention for the title as the series approaches its decisive phase.
Consistency amidst adversity
Despite a strong start to the 2025 season, Tsolov encountered mixed fortunes in recent rounds. While his performance levels have remained high, outcomes have occasionally been affected by bad luck and misfortune. Nevertheless, his focus and confidence remain unwavering.
“It has been getting better every round,” the 18-year-old explained. “There is clearly progress and that is what we want to see. I think Spielberg was the best one so far. So I hope to keep going like that and consistently have rounds like that.”
His positive trajectory at Spielberg was abruptly halted by a disqualification due to a technical infringement — a blow in a tightly contested title fight. Yet even this setback has not shaken his mindset.
“Obviously, it is a little bit of a setback with disqualification, but I thought we were really closing the fight until then. I am just looking at myself, trying to keep doing what I have been doing, so let us see how it ends up.”
This level of resilience is particularly impressive for someone so young. It demonstrates not only maturity but also the presence of a long-term mentality — the understanding that setbacks, however frustrating, are temporary in the broader context of a championship campaign and a racing career.
Learning the hard way
Tsolov made his FIA F3 debut in 2023 at just 16 years old — one of the youngest drivers to compete in the series. Unlike many of his rivals, he entered the championship with minimal preparation, which made his learning curve especially steep.
“It is quite funny. I rushed into F3, so I was pretty young when I got in, with no prep, no experience, which was tough. But I am still one of the youngest, but now with a lot of experience, which is good for me.”
Reflecting on his debut season, Tsolov admits that the challenges he faced early on have turned into long-term advantages. His growth, both mentally and technically, has been considerable over the past three years.
“When I came in, I had just turned 16, so I have changed a lot. Every six months you are different. The level of commitment to the sport and the amount of stuff I have managed to learn over the three years, I mean, I have had so many difficulties, which was good, because I have them now, so later on, I will know how to deal with every situation.”
Many drivers lose momentum when they fail to make an immediate impact in the fiercely competitive world of junior single-seaters. Tsolov, however, has used every race, test session, and debrief as an opportunity for growth.
“It has made me learn so much, and I think I have built a lot of reputation and a lot of experience around here. So that is going to be good for my next steps.”
His steady climb in confidence and skill is now evident on the timesheets — and increasingly, in the championship standings.
Momentum in the title battle
After the first two rounds of the 2025 campaign, Tsolov trailed early leader Rafael Câmara by 33 points. The Brazilian Trident driver had quickly established himself as the man to beat, winning two Feature Races and opening up a significant advantage.
However, Tsolov refused to let the gap define his approach. Over the following rounds, he secured four podium finishes, including a standout Feature Race win in Monte Carlo — a venue that rewards precision and fearlessness.
Although his disqualification in Spielberg dented his points total, he remains within striking distance of the championship lead.
“I think it is a big gap, but it is only two points more than what I arrived in Spielberg with, and I still closed it down to one point (before the disqualification). So it was a special weekend, because you do not have many of them, and a weekend that he was not performing at his usual.”
Tsolov remains confident that his strengths come into play as the calendar enters its second half.
“I consider myself being more competitive in the second half of the year, always. So that is a good thing for me. He had a great start, but I think we can still put on pressure and close the gap.”
Crucially, his mindset is not anchored to the standings but rooted in performance targets.
“But at the moment, like I said, I am only focusing on what I can do better, what I can do to keep doing weekends like Spielberg, and then how I end up is just the consequences of that.”
This approach — calm, methodical, and focused — mirrors the mentality seen in champions of the past. It reflects a deeper understanding of how to approach a title campaign under pressure.
A season plagued with misfortune
A central factor in Tsolov’s success this season has been his return to Campos Racing — the team with which he captured the Spanish F4 Championship. The renewed partnership has been mutually beneficial, with Campos currently leading the Teams’ Standings.
The team’s adaptation to the new F3 machinery has been efficient, and Tsolov’s early testing performances were encouraging.
“It is a learning process with the new car. I think I got on with it pretty well from the get-go, especially in testing. Obviously, luck has not been completely on our side, let us put it that way, which you need a lot in this Championship.”
Campos has also been one of the strongest qualifying outfits in recent rounds, regularly challenging for pole positions.
“We have been first, second, first and first in the last few rounds in Quali, the closest anyone has been to Rafa. And I think that is what we are looking to keep doing.”
The support of Red Bull
Red Bull’s support has also given Tsolov access to more sophisticated tools and preparation techniques, enhancing his performance under pressure.
“There are a few keys, obviously, the environment I am in with Red Bull is helping me and preparing me in a much more professional kind of way, so I know what I need to do in every situation, how to deal with every situation, how to give better feedback to the team.”
A return to Campos
Tsolov also credits his synergy with his race engineer, a relationship that has grown stronger over the course of the year.
“Then, with Campos, I have a good history. My engineer – we work really well together, and we only say the right stuff to each other and keep progressing. Everything has been clicking, and at this point, I would say we are quite high to the maximum potential we can reach.”
Having rejoined Campos after two years away, he notes the importance of rebuilding rhythm and confidence.
“I had two years away from the team, and then it takes a while to get back in momentum, which is a really big key. The first one is always the most difficult, with wins, with poles, with good results. So once you do it one time, then the second time is easier, the third time is even easier.”
Tsolov’s combination of team familiarity, improved communication, and advanced race engineering has created an environment conducive to success — a vital element in any championship-winning formula.
Circuit favourites ahead
As the F3 grid prepares for its final stretch, the calendar moves to Spa-Francorchamps, the Hungaroring, and Monza — three iconic circuits that could play a decisive role in shaping the title outcome. Tsolov views the upcoming tracks with enthusiasm.
“I think the next few tracks are quite good for me. Spa is a track I really love. I did not get to race there last year, unfortunately, but it is a track I get on pretty well with.”
He also has high expectations for Budapest, a circuit where he has traditionally performed well.
“And then Budapest – I have got good history and always been quick there. Then Monza is just a casino, so you need a bit of luck there as well. So you never know. I think it is a good few tracks that we can keep the momentum going into the end of the year.”
Nonetheless, he acknowledges that qualifying performance will be crucial in separating contenders from pretenders in the final rounds.
“I think right now, we have the consistency, but Qualifying is so important. It is pretty much everything because then race pace, we have it.”
Each remaining circuit poses its own unique challenges. Spa’s high-speed layout and elevation changes demand bravery and technical excellence. Budapest, tight and twisty, is all about precision and rhythm. Monza, unpredictable and slipstream-reliant, can flip the script in seconds. For Tsolov, excelling at all three will be key to his championship ambitions.
Final charge towards the Championship
As the 2025 F3 Championship edges closer to its conclusion, Nikola Tsolov stands at the heart of an increasingly intense title battle. Armed with experience, form, and a resurgent Campos Racing squad, the Bulgarian Lion is ready to fight to the very end.
His blend of self-awareness, adaptability, and technical maturity is rare for a driver of his age. While others may falter under the weight of expectation, Tsolov continues to thrive. If the final rounds go his way, he may soon add another piece of history to an already exceptional young career — and take one step closer to his dream of F1.
