Nikola Tsolov will take another major step towards Formula 1 on August 27 when the Formula 2 championship leader completes his first F1 test with Racing Bulls at Imola. The Bulgarian Red Bull junior will drive the team’s 2025 VCARB02 under the Testing of Previous Cars programme as speculation continues to grow over his prospects of reaching the Formula 1 grid.
Tsolov’s opportunity comes after an impressive 2026 Formula 2 campaign in which he has established a 20-point championship lead over Gabriele Minì. Six victories have helped put the Campos Racing driver firmly on Racing Bulls’ radar, with team principal Alan Permane among those to recognise the strong work being done by the Bulgarian.
Nikola Tsolov leads the 2026 Formula 2 championship
Nikola Tsolov’s recent performances in Formula 2 have inevitably increased interest around his future. The 21-year-old leads Gabriele Minì by 20 points in the standings and has already collected six victories, establishing himself as one of the standout members of the Red Bull Junior Team.
That form has earned him an important opportunity with Racing Bulls, a team that has itself enjoyed an impressive first half of the Formula 1 season. The Faenza-based operation has emerged as a major force in the midfield after making important development gains with its 2026 car.
Nikola Tsolov to make first Racing Bulls F1 test at Imola
On August 27, Nikola Tsolov will complete his first proper test behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. Like several other young talents who have been given opportunities in recent months, he will take part in a TPC session – Testing of Previous Cars – which allows teams to run machinery from before the current championship.
More specifically, Nikola Tsolov will drive the Racing Bulls VCARB02 used during the 2025 Formula 1 season at Imola. The test represents an important step in his development and is intended to help prepare him for the FIA licensing requirements connected with a potential future appearance in a Formula 1 free practice session.
Racing Bulls’ current race drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will also be on track at Imola that day, giving the team a busy programme as Nikola Tsolov gets his first significant experience of modern Formula 1 machinery.
Tsolov confident he can adapt if F1 opportunity arrives
The announcement has inevitably increased speculation that Nikola Tsolov could eventually graduate to Formula 1. His performances in Formula 2 have strengthened his position within Red Bull’s junior structure, while the Racing Bulls test will give him another opportunity to demonstrate how quickly he can adapt to more powerful and sophisticated machinery.
Nikola Tsolov himself is confident that he would be capable of making the step if an opportunity became available.
“You always want to believe you’re the best at what you do, and this year I’m trying to prove that,” Nikola Tsolov told Sky F1. “Knowing what I’ve done so far, I think I can adapt well if I’m given the opportunity. I know I’ll work hard to get it and, generally speaking, I feel confident.”
For now, the immediate priority remains the Formula 2 championship. But leading the standings, winning six races and earning his first Racing Bulls Formula 1 test means Nikola Tsolov is moving steadily closer to the ultimate objective of securing a place on the F1 grid.
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