In a historic first for the Bulgarian driving prospect, Nikola Tsolov will be behind the steering wheel of a Formula 1 car for the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) team during the first free‑practice session of the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The announcement, released on Wednesday, draws a clear line from his August test at Imola to this debut in an official F1‑FIA session, underscoring the progression endorsed by the Red Bull Junior Programme.
VCARB confirmed that Tsolov will pilot Liam Lawson’s car in the opening session, marking his inaugural appearance in a full‑F1‑licensed event. The team highlighted the significance of the move for driver development and stated that it reflects VCARB’s commitment to providing emerging talent with track experience and vital feedback opportunities.
VCARB Team Principal Alan Permane added, “Having already worked with Nikola at Imola, we’re looking forward to seeing him build on that experience in Mexico and to the feedback he can provide to help support our preparations for the weekend.”
After joining the Red Bull Junior Team in 2025, Tsolov has rapidly advanced through the single‑seater ranks: 2022 Spanish F4 Champion, 2025 FIA Formula 3 runner‑up, and currently a title‑contending driver in the FIA Formula 2 season with Campos Racing. The team’s statement noted that he has now “established himself as a title contender, challenging for the 2026 Drivers’ Championship.”
During the recent press release, Tsolov expressed his enthusiasm for the milestone:
“A big thank you to VCARB for giving me this opportunity in Mexico,”Tsolov said.
“Following my test with the team at Imola in August, I’m excited to take this next step, build on that experience and learn more about the car and the current regulations. I’ll focus on making the most of the session, working closely with the team and providing useful feedback.”
The test at Imola, covered in earlier reporting, earned him the required F1 licence, setting the stage for his official session in Mexico. The planning of his first free‑practice stint aims to bridge his Formula 2 experience with the demands of a Formula 1 machine, providing a unique data‑rich assessment for both the driver and the team’s engineering crew.
VCARB’s strategic move dovetails with the Red Bull Junior Programme’s philosophy of offering clear progression paths. By allowing a junior driver to sit in an F1 car ahead of the typical seven‑guest‑driver rule, the program signals confidence in Tsolov’s potential and readiness to absorb the increased pace and complexity of Formula 1. It also aligns with the programme’s broader objective of exposing its scholars to diverse teams and competitive environments outside of the traditional Red Bull Racing and RBM bases.
As the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend approaches, the F1 community will be watching Tsolov’s performance with keen interest. The field includes seasoned veterans eager to push the limits of the 2027 chassis, and the addition of a fresh face offers a fresh perspective on how nascent talent handles the demands of an F1 car at the demanding altitude and temperature of Mexico City’s circuit.
Notably, the official brief abstains from detailing session expectations or projected lap times. As there has yet to be any on‑track data or post‑session analysis released, the precise impact of Tsolov’s participation remains provisional. Remaining questions include the effectiveness of his feedback, how his experience compares to the multiple‑guest‑driver practice structure, and how this exposure will influence his future trajectory within the Red Bull Junior pathway and possible future F1 opportunities.