Nikola Tsolov will serve as reserve driver for Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls during the 2027 Formula 1 season. The appointment represents another significant milestone for the 19-year-old Bulgarian, who has established himself among the leading young talents in international single-seater racing.
The announcement follows an impressive 2026 Formula 2 campaign in which Tsolov has secured six victories, including a historic run of three consecutive wins. With two rounds remaining, the Campos Racing driver sits second in the Drivers’ Championship and remains firmly in contention for the title.
Tsolov takes on F1 reserve responsibilities across both Red Bull teams
Tsolov’s new position will see him work with both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls throughout 2027 as he continues preparing for a potential full-time Formula 1 debut.
His responsibilities will include simulator work, vehicle development and an extensive track programme. In particular, Red Bull plans to provide opportunities through Free Practice appearances, Testing of Previous Cars (TPC), selected testing sessions and tyre testing.
The programme will allow Tsolov to increase his familiarity with Formula 1 machinery while developing his technical understanding alongside experienced engineers and team personnel. Furthermore, the opportunity to work across both organisations will expose him to different engineering environments and approaches to vehicle development. These experiences will play an important role in preparing the Bulgarian for the physical, technical and competitive demands of a permanent Formula 1 seat.
His appointment also comes as Red Bull finalises its preparations for 2027. Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar will continue with the senior outfit, while Racing Bulls will retain Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad.
Although Tsolov will not join the race grid next season, his reserve role provides a structured opportunity to build on his existing Formula 1 experience while remaining closely involved in Red Bull’s development programme.
From Spanish F4 champion to Formula 3 title contender
Tsolov’s progression through the junior single-seater categories has featured several notable achievements since he made his car-racing debut in 2022.
He immediately demonstrated his potential in the F4 Spanish Championship, dominating his rookie campaign with Campos Racing. The Bulgarian secured 13 victories and accumulated 400 points to claim the title, establishing himself as one of the category’s standout young drivers.
He subsequently graduated to FIA Formula 3 with ART Grand Prix in 2023. However, his first two seasons proved challenging, with Tsolov finishing 22nd and 11th in the respective championship standings despite showing flashes of competitive pace.
His return to Campos Racing for 2025 coincided with his arrival at the Red Bull Junior Team, marking a turning point in his development. Throughout the campaign, Tsolov emerged as a serious championship contender alongside Trident’s Rafael Câmara. As his 2025 Formula 3 campaign demonstrated, the Bulgarian combined improved qualifying performances with more consistent race management, allowing him to challenge regularly towards the front.
He eventually finished runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship, securing two victories and six podiums. Although Câmara claimed the title, Tsolov’s performances reinforced his credentials for promotion to Formula 2.
Historic six-win campaign strengthens Tsolov’s F1 credentials
Following his Formula 3 success, Tsolov made his Formula 2 debut during the final two rounds of 2025 before committing to a full campaign with Campos Racing in 2026.
He immediately demonstrated his competitiveness by winning the season-opening Feature Race in Melbourne, becoming the first Bulgarian driver to claim victory in the championship.
The 19-year-old continued to establish himself among the leading contenders throughout the following rounds, combining outright pace with increasingly effective tyre management and race strategy.
However, his most significant achievement came during a remarkable sequence of victories in Austria and Great Britain. After winning the Austrian Feature Race, Tsolov completed a clean sweep at Silverstone. He claimed the Sprint Race victory following a decisive last-lap overtake on Gabriele Minì before securing another victory in Sunday’s Feature Race.
His record-breaking Silverstone performance brought his season total to six victories, comprising four Feature Race wins and two Sprint wins.
More significantly, he became the first driver in Formula 2 history to win three consecutive races, strengthening his championship challenge and further demonstrating his readiness for higher-level competition.
Previous Formula 1 experience provides foundation for 2027
Tsolov has already begun familiarising himself with Formula 1 machinery through his involvement with Racing Bulls during 2026.
In August, he completed his first F1 test at Imola, driving the team’s previous-generation car as part of its junior driver development programme. The outing allowed him to experience the increased performance and technical demands of Formula 1 machinery while working directly with the team’s engineers.
He subsequently made his official Grand Prix weekend debut during Free Practice 1 at the Mexico City GP, replacing Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls.
During the session, Tsolov completed 29 laps and finished 12th, just 0.126 seconds behind regular driver Arvid Lindblad. His performance provided another valuable opportunity to adapt to the machinery under representative GP weekend conditions.
Reflecting on his maiden F1 practice appearance in Mexico, Tsolov highlighted the differences between Formula 2 and Formula 1, particularly the complexity of the power unit and the additional demands of energy management.
These early experiences will provide a useful foundation for his expanded responsibilities in 2027, when Red Bull intends to offer further opportunities for on-track development.
Mekies expresses confidence in Tsolov’s Formula 1 potential
Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Laurent Mekies welcomed Tsolov’s appointment, praising both his competitive performances and the maturity he has demonstrated throughout his development.
Mekies said: “Nikola is an exceptionally talented young driver, and we have been hugely impressed by his development and performances over the past few years. To fight for the Championship in F3 and now challenge for the F2 title in his first full season says a great deal about his ability and determination.
“What has impressed us just as much is his maturity, his approach to racing and his willingness to keep learning and improving. We have enormous belief in Nikola’s potential and see him as a driver with a very exciting future in F1. This appointment reflects our confidence in him and our commitment to his continued development.
“Our focus in 2027 will be on giving him the experience, tools and support he needs to be ready to race in F1 next. For now, Nikola still has an important job to finish in F2. We wish him every success in the final two rounds and will be supporting him all the way as he fights for the Championship.”
His comments underline Red Bull’s commitment to supporting Tsolov’s development rather than immediately promoting him to a race seat.
By combining technical preparation with additional track mileage, the organisation aims to ensure that the Bulgarian can approach a potential Formula 1 debut with greater experience and confidence.
Tsolov welcomes opportunity to continue development with Red Bull
Tsolov expressed his appreciation for Red Bull’s continued support, describing the reserve driver appointment as another important step towards achieving his ambition of competing in Formula 1.
The Bulgarian said, “I’m incredibly happy and grateful to Red Bull for giving me this opportunity. Since joining the Junior Team, I’ve received amazing support and have developed so much, both as a driver and as a person. My career has progressed incredibly quickly, and I owe a lot to everyone who has believed in me and helped me get to this point.
“My ambition is clear: I want to become an F1 driver. Having the opportunity to spend next year preparing for that next step is incredibly exciting. I’m confident that with the Team’s support and experience, I’ll have the best possible preparation to make sure I’m fully ready to take the next step onto the F1 grid when the time comes. I know there is still a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work hard, make the most of every opportunity and give everything I have to the Team.
“For now, my immediate focus is on finishing the F2 season as strongly as possible.”
The appointment reflects his rapid progression through the junior categories, particularly following his successful return to Campos Racing and subsequent performances in Formula 2.
Nevertheless, Tsolov will continue focusing on his current championship commitments before beginning his expanded Formula 1 responsibilities.
Formula 2 title remains immediate priority
Despite securing his Formula 1 reserve driver position for 2027, Tsolov still has an important objective to complete before the end of the current season.
Following a closely contested Azerbaijan GP weekend, he occupies second in the Formula 2 Drivers’ Championship with 200 points, seven behind leader Rafael Câmara.
The championship standings changed significantly during the Baku weekend, with Câmara moving ahead after winning the second Feature Race. However, Tsolov recovered from 11th on the grid to finish second, limiting the points he lost to his Brazilian rival.
As the 2026 Formula 2 championship battle enters its final stages, Alexander Dunne also remains in contention. The Rodin Motorsport driver sits third with 189 points, leaving just 18 points between the leading three competitors.
The championship will resume at Lusail in Qatar from 27–29 November before concluding at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi from 4–6 December.
For Tsolov, the remaining rounds provide an opportunity to complete his impressive rookie campaign with the championship title. Moreover, success against his closest rivals would further strengthen his position as one of Red Bull’s leading prospects for a future Formula 1 race seat.
Regardless of the championship outcome, his appointment confirms another important step towards the pinnacle of single-seater racing.
