Nikola Tsolov arrived at the 2025 Abu Dhabi finale with only the recent Qatar F2 Round behind him, yet he delivered a performance that immediately elevated his standing in the paddock. Claiming a Sprint Race podium in just his third F2 start, he demonstrated both pace and composure against a grid filled with far more experienced rivals.
Speaking after to the media, including Pit Debrief, after the Sprint Race, he described the sense of satisfaction that came with finally converting his speed into silverware.
“Yeah, it feels good, to be honest. I was expecting to be on the podium in Qatar as well on the Sprint, but it’s finally good to have it here. The race was definitely tough. Yeah, I dropped a little bit from these two, but I managed to keep a good enough pace to stay in the podium. I’m happy to just get over it, the podium goal, and now focus on the rest.”
Making sense of an accelerated adaptation
Although the result may have surprised some observers, Tsolov explained that he entered F2 with strong self-belief. Even so, he remained aware of the learning curve involved and quickly realised the scale of the challenge against drivers who had a full season of experience with the car.
“I thought I was well-prepared. I had a lot of confidence in myself. Obviously, my expectations were high. I wasn’t fully satisfied even with seventh in Qatar, but then looking back after the weekend, I thought, well, these guys have done 12 rounds and they know the car very well. I just stepped in first time on soft tyre as well and did seventh.”
He acknowledged that his outright pace was still developing, yet he viewed his early results as a strong indicator of potential. The comparison with other late-season newcomers also helped contextualise his performance, reinforcing his belief that he had made a strong start to this new chapter.
“Obviously, I don’t think overall I have the pace as much as they do so far, but I think it’s been a really positive start. Also, looking at past results from other people who have done the last two rounds, jumping in straight away. I’m happy with that. In the end, my goal is next year.”
Building towards next season with confidence
The Abu Dhabi podium gave Tsolov a clear reference point for what he could achieve, but he remained focused on long-term goals rather than short-term hype. He outlined the areas that both he and the team aimed to refine, particularly his consistency in Qualifying—a key ingredient for F2 championship contention in 2026.
“It’s making me excited. I think there is definitely stuff to work on in both departments. Obviously, on me and the car to be able to fight constantly in top three for every Quali, like Fornaroli did this year. But yeah, this is going to be our goal. There’s still a bit of stuff to improve. In the beginning of the race, I thought I was going to push, but still got dropped. There is something to find.”
Racing with a nation behind him
As the first Bulgarian driver to reach a F2 podium, Tsolov’s performance carried weight beyond the confines of the Yas Marina paddock. In response to a question from Pit Debrief, he described the emotional significance of the moment and the extent to which the support from his home country strengthened his resolve.
“Yeah, it means a lot. Just like in F3, I feel the support a lot now. I hope Bulgaria is looking at me. I’m glad to do that podium already before starting next year and just get it out of the way and know I can do it. I can feel all the positive energy from Bulgaria, which helps a lot.”
Treating the final rounds as a learning opportunity
For Tsolov, the late-season call-up remains as much about education as results. Even with a podium secured, he stressed that his primary goal was to complete every lap and gather experience—though he still found space to inject humour into the moment.
When asked about his approach to the final rounds of the 2025 F2 season, Tsolov joked, “Bwoah, it’s just a holiday and a hobby for me. I’m joking,”—a reference to 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen.
He quickly shifted back to the seriousness of his approach, explaining how each session contributed to a deeper understanding of the car, the tyres and the track characteristics that will define his 2026 performance.
“I think it was a learning process and it still is. My goal was definitely just to finish every lap in every session, which I’ve been doing so far. That was pretty much it. I didn’t have any top 10 or something like that or result-wise. I’m happy I’ve done everything so far. There’s a Feature Race to learn more from tomorrow. I think today’s knowledge will definitely help me understand the tyres better, heavy car around this track. I don’t really know the track, so that was my goal. It helps a lot for next year, I believe.”
Benefiting from early contract security
Unlike many young drivers fighting for their place on the grid, Tsolov entered these final rounds with his 2026 seat already confirmed. He said that this security played a major role in his mentality, both during his F3 season and as he transitioned into F2.
“Yes, for sure. I think for me, it was confirmed early on in the year, mid-season in F3, and that more so took off stress. Just like Arvid said, not that much pressure already during my F3 season. Then obviously, it took a while to sign and get it confirmed. Definitely, I feel good knowing what I’ll do next year because usually I don’t have it announced early. Yes, it’s been making an impact on my mental state, for sure.”
Continuing his journey with Campos
Though he remained within the Campos structure, Tsolov highlighted how significantly his environment changed when moving from F3 to F2. The car, engineering team and operational rhythm all differed, yet the familiar atmosphere helped ease the transition. He described the dynamic with genuine affection.
“Yes, for me, I still had to adapt, although it’s the same team because I changed engineering, mechanics, and pretty much everything. It feels like a whole new journey. But yeah, I already knew them from before, and for me, the atmosphere, it’s really good. I’ve always said it’s like a family to me.”
A major positive for him was the chance to learn closely from Arvid Lindblad, whose strong performances offered a valuable benchmark. Tsolov credited this partnership as a key element of his rapid growth.
“I definitely think doing these last two rounds helps me a lot to learn from Arvid himself. I think that’s probably even more beneficial than just learning the tracks because he’s pushing me a lot to do well and to strike the best for myself. I’ll miss sharing the team and the grid with him next year, but I’m happy to do these last two rounds with him.”
A promising foundation for 2026
Tsolov’s first steps in F2 provided a compelling mix of raw achievement and measured development. His podium gave him immediate credibility, while his reflections revealed a driver already thinking like a long-term contender. With the backing of Campos and the support of a growing Bulgarian fanbase, he ended the Abu Dhabi weekend not just as a standout rookie, but as a driver preparing to launch a serious campaign in 2026.
