Red Bull intends to define its driver lineup for Formula 1 in 2027 this season, and Nikola Tsolov emerges as the main candidate for a spot at Racing Bulls. Alan Permane, head of the satellite team, classified the Bulgarian as “the next in line.” The executive, however, avoided setting a deadline for a possible promotion of the 19-year-old driver.
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“When that will happen, I don’t know, honestly,” added the Briton. “It’s definitely not a lie to say we’re not thinking about it right now. He’s there, doing his job, we’re doing ours, and we will certainly make a decision about if, when, and how he moves up to Racing Bulls later this year.”
A member of Red Bull’s junior program, Tsolov leads Formula 2 after eight rounds, with a 27-point advantage over Gabriele Mini. The driver took the championship lead after securing three consecutive victories between the Red Bull Ring main race and Silverstone, becoming the first to achieve this feat in the category since Davide Valsecchi in 2012.
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Despite recent rumors that he would replace Liam Lawson next season, no decision has been made. Still, Permane made it clear that the driver’s performance is attracting attention: “He’s doing incredibly well,” he told the press. “He’s now leading the championship after a great weekend at Silverstone. So, to say he’s on the radar would be a bit of an understatement. He’s the next in line, I think it’s fair to say.”
Red Bull has not yet applied for the FIA (International Automobile Federation) Super License for Tsolov. So far, Ayumu Iwasa remains the driver scheduled for the mandatory F1 free practice sessions, while Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad are having good seasons for Racing Bulls.
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