(Motorsport-Total.com) – Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov has reached a milestone in his career and completed his first meters in a Formula 1 car. On Thursday, the overall leader of Formula 2 in Imola was allowed to drive a Racing Bulls VCARB 02 from the 2025 Formula 1 season, taking the next step in his development.
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“The first TPC day (Testing of Previous Cars; editor’s note) in a Formula 1 car is done and I am super happy about how the day went,” says Tsolov, who was able to cover a total of 690 kilometers. “I really enjoyed every single lap and it is hard to put into words what it means to finally get this chance.”
“This is something I have worked towards my whole life, and finally experiencing it myself is just incredible,” says the Bulgarian. “I think I haven’t fully realized what we achieved today yet, but I enjoyed every lap and hope to get the chance to add a few more kilometers soon.”
“Today was a really positive step for Nikola,” says Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane. “He adapted quickly to the car and showed the composure you want to see from a driver sitting in a Formula 1 car for the first time.”
“This outing is part of the ongoing development plan the team carries out for its junior drivers to provide them with the tools, mileage, and environment for their development. We have repeatedly seen what this path can produce, and days like today are a building block for how we continuously expand this foundation,” says Permane.
After finishing as runner-up in Formula 3, Tsolov moved up to Formula 2 this season, where he currently leads the championship in his debut year. He has already won six races and is considered a candidate for a seat with the Racing Bulls due to his performances.
However, the regular drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are currently performing so well that it could be difficult for the 19-year-old to find an open seat.
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Tsolov was not the only driver to make his Formula 1 debut this week: Frenchman Norman Nato also drove his first meters during a TPC test, where he sat in a Ferrari SF-25 from the previous season.
Formula E and WEC driver Nato is not considered a candidate for Formula 1. Instead, he completed the test sessions in Mugello, which took place parallel to the Pirelli test on the track, as part of his work as a development and simulator driver for the Maranello team.
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In addition to Nato, the two-day test also featured longtime test driver Antonio Fuoco as well as Ferrari’s Formula 2 juniors Rafael Camara and Dino Beganovic.
Camara then traveled on to Portimao, where a test organized by Haas is scheduled, in which Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa will also participate. This test is likely of utmost importance for all three, as they are competing for Esteban Ocon’s Formula 1 seat.
Haas will likely watch the three very closely and may decide based on the tests who will race alongside Oliver Bearman in 2027.
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