Nikola Tsolov completes first F1 test with Racing Bulls
Here is the thing about watching a young driver step into a Formula 1 car for the absolute first time: you can just picture the sheer scale of the moment. Nikola Tsolov got his first taste of F1 machinery recently, heading out on track with Racing Bulls at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Italy—a venue the racing world simply calls Imola.
Running under the Testing of Previous Cars programme, the 19-year-old racked up a massive 690km during the outing. It is a vital milestone in his ongoing development as part of the Red Bull Junior Programme, especially as he currently leads the F2 standings by a 20-point margin over Gabriele Mini.
“First TPC day in a Formula 1 car done, and I’m super happy with how today went,” Tsolov said after the experience. “I really enjoyed every lap and it’s difficult to put into words what it means to finally get this opportunity.
“A massive thank you to VCARB and the Red Bull Junior Team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. It’s something I’ve been working towards my whole life, so to finally experience it is pretty incredible.”
Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane was clearly pleased with what he saw from the cockpit. “Today was a really positive step for Nikola,” Permane noted, praising how quickly the youngster adapted to the machine and displayed the exact composure expected from a first-timer.
Naturally, performances like this only fuel the fire regarding the future. Tsolov's name has already surfaced in speculation about the Racing Bulls line-up for the 2027 F1 season. Back in July, Permane addressed the chatter by stating, “It’s not an untruth to say we’re not thinking about it at the moment. He's there, he’s doing his job, we're doing our job, and we'll make a call if and when he comes up to Racing Bulls later this year.”
For now, though, the immediate priority is elsewhere. Tsolov's attention goes right back to the fierce Formula 2 championship battle, which resumes next weekend at Monza.