Nikola Tsolov’s rapid rise through the junior ranks will soon take another significant step forward, with the FIA Formula 2 championship leader reportedly earmarked for his first Formula 1 test with Racing Bulls.
The Red Bull junior has impressed throughout the 2026 F2 campaign, putting himself firmly on the radar as the Faenza squad weighs its options for the future. Now, Tsolov is set to sample the machinery he hopes could eventually become his gateway to the F1 grid.
Racing Bulls is understood to have scheduled Tsolov for a Testing of a Previous Car (TPC) outing at Imola later this month, alongside the team’s final filming day of the season.
While Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will share limited mileage in the current VCARB03 on August 27 withing the context of a filming day, Tsolov is expected to get meaningful running in last year’s VCARB02.
Red Bull wants Tsolov ready for F1
The opportunity is about more than simply giving a highly rated prospect a taste of F1 machinery.
Tsolov currently has 25 Super Licence points, earned from his runner-up finish in last year’s Formula 3 championship. A top-five F2 finish this season would take him over the threshold required to obtain his licence, potentially putting him in the frame for a Friday practice appearance – provided he can first accumulate enough relevant mileage.
Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer had already hinted at the plan in July.
“We’re currently considering having him do TPC test, because he needs a licence to drive in Friday practice sessions,” Bayer told Sky F1.
“He’s still lacking a few kilometres. And we’re planning that for the autumn.”
That makes the Imola outing potentially significant. Tsolov has previously driven Red Bull’s RB7 and RB8 in demonstration runs, but a TPC test would provide his first genuine opportunity to work with a modern F1 team in a structured testing environment.
Could Tsolov force his way into the 2027 picture?
Speculation has already surrounded Tsolov’s prospects at Racing Bulls, with some reports even suggesting that the Bulgarian had been promised a 2027 seat. Bayer, however, was quick to pour cold water on that suggestion.
“Those are just rumours,” Bayer said of the speculation at the time.
“He’s doing a brilliant job and is a huge talent whom we naturally have on our radar. But we’ve only had seven races so far, and Liam and Arvid are doing just as brilliant a job. So it’s not even on the cards at the moment.”
For Tsolov, however, the message appears clear: the door is not open yet, but Red Bull is keeping an increasingly close eye on the handle.
The 19-year-old has admitted he has received no guarantees about his immediate future, although he remains convinced he can make the leap if the opportunity arrives.
“You always want to believe you’re the best at what you do, and I’m trying to show that this year,” he said.
“And knowing I’ve done what I’ve done so far, I think I should be able to adapt well if I’m given the opportunity. I know I will work my hardest to get it, and yeah, feeling confident in general.”
With the F2 title within reach and his first F1 test now looming, Tsolov has the chance to turn that confidence into something considerably more tangible.
If he impresses at Imola – and secures his Super Licence in the process — the conversation around Red Bull’s next generation of drivers could become very interesting indeed.
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