The 2025 Hungarian GP proved to be a weekend of contrasting fortunes for Nikola Tsolov. Despite a tough Qualifying session that severely compromised his FIA F3 title chances, the Bulgarian driver responded with remarkable determination and skill in Sunday’s Feature Race. Starting from 21st on the grid, Tsolov charged through the field, showcasing some of his best racecraft of the season to finish sixth under challenging and ever-changing conditions.
While he could not prevent his rival Rafael Câmara from securing the 2025 F3 Championship, Tsolov’s gritty performance on race day reinforced his status as one of the sport’s most promising talents. Moreover, it served as a vital boost of confidence and momentum heading into the final stages of the season.
Title hopes derailed on Friday
Tsolov entered Budapest with a realistic chance to keep his F3 Championship challenge alive. However, Qualifying did not go according to plan. After failing to post a competitive lap, he found himself languishing down in 21st place on the grid—effectively putting an end to his title ambitions before any racing had begun.
This setback could have been deflating, yet rather than succumb to frustration or disappointment, Tsolov adopted a pragmatic and focused mindset. He understood that his best opportunity now lay in maximising points across the race weekend, regardless of the initial disadvantage.
Sprint Race: A tough recovery in dry conditions
The F3 Sprint Race on Saturday at the 2025 Hungarian GP presented limited opportunities for Tsolov to make up ground. In fully dry conditions, overtaking proved challenging, particularly given the strength of drivers ahead who managed their tyre degradation expertly.
“In the Sprint, with it being a fully dry race, I think it was really difficult to recover places,” he reflected. “I had some quick drivers in front of me that could manage their deg pretty well, so it was tough.”
As a result, he was unable to significantly improve his starting position. Nevertheless, he remained optimistic that the unpredictable nature of Sunday’s Feature Race could allow him to recover more places and make a meaningful impact.
Feature Race: Embracing the chaos of wet weather
Indeed, the conditions on Sunday provided exactly the kind of uncertainty Tsolov had been hoping for. With rain showers intermittently wetting the track, race strategy and driver skill became paramount.
“But in the Feature Race, I was hoping for conditions like the ones we got, where you don’t really know what’s going to happen,” he said. “I think I got on pretty well in the wet, just like in pre-season testing, where we showed great pace.”
From the opening laps, Tsolov demonstrated an aggressive and confident approach. He attacked the field relentlessly, taking advantage of the treacherous conditions to pass rivals who struggled to find grip and rhythm.
“Step by step, I managed to come through the field, it’s just a shame that we ended up just shy of the podium in the end.”
As the laps progressed, Tsolov’s charge continued unabated, highlighting both his skill in wet conditions and his capacity to maintain composure under pressure. Each successful overtake built momentum, and by the end of the race, he had gained 15 places—a remarkable achievement given the circumstances.
Smart strategy and tyre management
Tsolov’s performance was not simply about pace; it also hinged on an intelligent tyre management strategy crafted by Campos Racing. Although he pushed hard early on—using significant tyre life to climb through the field—he was able to sustain a competitive pace until the finish.
“I used a lot of tyre in the beginning just to try and recover, and then still managed to keep up a decent pace to the end to be fair.”
Furthermore, he praised the team’s setup decisions, particularly concerning tyre pressures, which proved critical in such variable conditions.
“I think it was the right approach. After all, you need to chalk off everybody you can in the beginning and then see how you can manage things to the end. Obviously, no one knows the conditions and so pressures were a big factor.”
“I think everyone thought that maybe lower pressures would have been better, but you never know. I think we managed things pretty well, and although we were just short of the podium, we never expected to be in P6.”
Respecting the Champion: Câmara’s consistency in 2025
While Tsolov’s efforts were impressive, they were ultimately insufficient to prevent Rafael Câmara from securing the 2025 FIA F3 title during the Hungarian GP weekend. Despite this, Tsolov acknowledged Câmara’s exceptional consistency throughout the season, especially his dominance in Qualifying sessions.
““Yeah definitely. I think after Qualifying we knew it was over, and the chances were pretty small. So, congrats to Rafa because he did a really good season. He was consistent in every Qualifying session which was quite impressive,” Tsolov said.
Although the championship battle ended sooner than he had hoped, Tsolov accepted the reality with grace and looked ahead rather than dwelling on disappointment.
“I think unfortunately, we didn’t have a long title fight let’s say, but that’s how it is. For sure, to finish a race like that just before the summer break is really useful.”
A vital confidence boost ahead of Monza
The Hungarian GP could easily have been a demoralising weekend for Tsolov. However, thanks to his tenacious performance on Sunday, it instead served as a timely reminder of his potential and resilience.
“I was struggling a bit and was down let’s say because the last few rounds have been difficult, but drives like that prove what you can do. And, although we didn’t win the Championship, we’re still up there, and that’s what matters so we’ll keep moving forward.”
With one round left in the season at Monza, Tsolov now finds himself locked in an intense battle for second place in the standings—a fight that promises to test his skill and mental strength.
“It’s a big break now, hopefully we’ll come back in good shape at Monza and hopefully we can wrap it up with a top two because now I’m under a bit of pressure from my teammate, but let’s see what we can do.”
Redemption and resolve
Ultimately, while the 2025 Hungarian GP extinguished Tsolov’s hopes of the F3 title, it simultaneously illuminated his fighting spirit and growth as a driver. His ability to adapt to adverse circumstances, exploit changing track conditions, and maintain relentless determination highlight why he remains one of the most exciting talents in F3.
