Nikola Tsolov now has a clear path to make his debut during a Formula 1 race weekend. The Red Bull Academy driver covered more than 300km during his first test, which now allows him to participate in a free practice session.
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Last Thursday (27), the Bulgarian completed a test at the Imola circuit in Italy with Racing Bulls. In total, he drove 690km piloting the VCARB02 as part of a previous car test [TPC, English acronym] – this program allows teams to run old cars to develop young drivers.
“My first day of testing (TPC) in a Formula 1 car has come to an end, and I am incredibly happy with how the day went. I enjoyed every lap; it is hard to put into words what it means to finally have this opportunity,” he said.
“A huge thank you to Racing Bulls and the Red Bull Junior Team for trusting me and for this opportunity. It is something I have worked for my whole life, so finally experiencing it is amazing. I hope to have the chance to add more mileage soon,” he added.
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Alan Permane, head of Racing Bulls, expressed satisfaction with Tsolov’s performance. “It was a very positive step for Nikola. He adapted quickly to the car and showed the composure expected from a driver taking the cockpit of a Formula 1 car for the first time,” he said.
“This test is part of the development plan the team has for its young drivers. With it, we provide the tools, mileage, and environment necessary for them to continue evolving. We have repeatedly seen the results this path can provide, and days like today are part of the continuity of this work,” he concluded.
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See this photo on InstagramA post shared by Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team (@visacashapprb)
