Nikola Tsolov confirmed as Red Bull reserve driver for the 2027 Formula 1 season

Nikola Tsolov will take up the role of reserve driver for both the Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls Formula 1 Team in the 2027 season.

Tsolov achieves this position off the back of a stellar 2026 first full campaign in Formula 2, where with two rounds to go in Lusail and Yas Marina he is second in the Drivers’ Championship having taken six victories.

The Bulgarian driver joined the Red Bull Junior Program in 2025, and that season finished second in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.

The 19-year-old got his first experience in a Formula 1 car in August, driving for Racing Bulls at Imola, before taking part in the opening practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix with the team.

Red Bull has also confirmed that alongside his responsibilities as a Reserve Driver, Tsolov will also undertake an extensive development programme, combining simulator and development work with valuable track experience through Free Practice sessions, Testing of Previous Cars (TPC), selected test sessions and tyre testing.

Following the announcement, Tsolov thanked Red Bull for their support and reaffirmed his hopes of being an F1 driver.

“I’m incredibly happy and grateful to Red Bull for giving me this opportunity,” said Tsolov. “Since joining the Junior Team, I’ve received amazing support and have developed so much, both as a driver and as a person. My career has progressed incredibly quickly, and I owe a lot to everyone who has believed in me and helped me get to this point.

“My ambition is clear: I want to become an F1 driver. Having the opportunity to spend next year preparing for that next step is incredibly exciting. I’m confident that with the Team’s support and experience, I’ll have the best possible preparation to make sure I’m fully ready to take the next step onto the F1 grid when the time comes.

“I know there is still a lot to learn, but I’m ready to work hard, make the most of every opportunity and give everything I have to the Team. For now, my immediate focus is on finishing the F2 season as strongly as possible.”

CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing Laurent Mekies also added: “Nikola is an exceptionally talented young driver, and we have been hugely impressed by his development and performances over the past few years. To fight for the Championship in F3 and now challenge for the F2 title in his first full season says a great deal about his ability and determination. What has impressed us just as much is his maturity, his approach to racing and his willingness to keep learning and improving.

"We have enormous belief in Nikola’s potential and see him as a driver with a very exciting future in F1. This appointment reflects our confidence in him and our commitment to his continued development. Our focus in 2027 will be on giving him the experience, tools and support he needs to be ready to race in F1 next.

"For now, Nikola still has an important job to finish in F2. We wish him every success in the final two rounds and will be supporting him all the way as he fights for the Championship.”