Here is a massive career leap for Nikola Tsolov. The Formula 2 racer has officially locked down a shared reserve driver role with Red Bull and Racing Bulls for the 2027 season.
That development clears up the board after confirmation that Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will stay put at Racing Bulls for another year, slamming the door on any rumors of a direct promotion to a full-time race seat for Tsolov. Instead, the Bulgarian machine-tamer will step into the crucial backup slot for both the Faenza-based outfit and sister team Red Bull, putting him on standby to race if called upon.
The job description comes with plenty of heavy lifting. Tsolov will dive into simulator development work, tackle more FP1 outings—building on his previous appearance in Mexico City—and log miles in Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) machinery. It is a rapid ascent for a driver who took runner-up honors in the 2025 Formula 3 championship before jumping straight into F2, where he is currently locked in a title fight with just two rounds remaining.
Reflecting on the appointment, Tsolov 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.” He added: “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.”
CEO and Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies weighed in on the signing with high praise for the youngster's trajectory. Mekies noted: “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.”
For now, though, the immediate priority remains the current campaign. Tsolov still has business to finish in F2 before looking ahead to 2027, and the team will be backing his push through the final two rounds of the season.
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