As The Race reports, Red Bull has locked in Nikola Tsolov as the official reserve driver for both of its Formula 1 teams for the 2027 season, crafting a specialized programme explicitly designed to ensure he is fully prepared to race in F1 at the highest level.
That seat as a race driver for 2027 ultimately slipped through his fingers, with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad both securing extensions to stay put next year. Even so, the organization made it unmistakably clear that Tsolov sits directly at the front of the queue, confirming his reserve appointment on the exact same day Lawson and Lindblad locked in their respective drives.
Tsolov is currently locked in a fierce battle for the Formula 2 title against Alex Dunne and 2027 Haas F1 driver Rafael Camara, boasting six race wins to his name with just two rounds left to run in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. That follows a campaign last year where he finished as runner-up to Camara during his third Formula 3 season. His raw speed and race craft already turned heads over at Racing Bulls following an FP1 debut in Mexico where he compared favourably to 2026 rookie Lindblad.
Red Bull has mapped out a demanding schedule for him. In his new role, Nikola will undertake an extensive development programme, combining simulator and development work with valuable track experience through Free Practice sessions, Testing of Previous Cars, selected test sessions, and tyre testing.
Tsolov admitted he was incredibly happy and grateful to Red Bull for the opportunity, stating that his ambition is clear and pointing directly toward wanting to become an F1 driver. Having the opportunity to spend next year preparing for that next step is incredibly exciting, he added, expressing full confidence that the team’s support will give him the best possible preparation for the grid.
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies praised the young charger's trajectory, noting that fighting for the championship in F3 and challenging for the F2 title in a first full season speaks volumes about his ability and determination. Mekies also highlighted Tsolov's maturity, approach to racing, and willingness to learn as key factors behind the team's enormous belief in his potential.
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