Nikola Tsolov will be reserve driver for Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls in 2027, an appointment F1 confirmed on November 12, 2026. That’s two teams on the job description, but not a full-time place on the grid. Source Source
The 19-year-old Bulgarian missed out on a Racing Bulls race seat after the team retained Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, Autosport and The Race report. Instead, he’ll take on a development programme aimed at preparing him for a future F1 opportunity. Source Source
It’s not exactly a year of waiting by the phone. Red Bull’s announcement, quoted by The Race, sets out simulator and development work, free-practice appearances, testing older F1 cars, selected test sessions and tyre testing. Autosport specifies FP1—the first free-practice session—and Pirelli tyre tests among the planned running. Source Source
“We have enormous belief in Nikola’s potential and see him as a driver with a very exciting future in F1,” Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies said, as quoted by The Race. He said the team’s focus in 2027 would be giving Tsolov the experience, tools and support to prepare him to race in F1. Source
The reserve role brings the possibility of an emergency call-up, Autosport reports. A full-time race seat and promotion date remain unconfirmed. Source Source
Tsolov said, as quoted by The Race: “My ambition is clear: I want to become an F1 driver.” Source
Tsolov still has an F2 title to chase. Autosport’s November 12 report put Tsolov second in F2, seven points behind Rafael Camara, with two rounds remaining. He’d taken six wins in his first full F2 season. The Race identifies those final stops as Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Source Source
“For now, my immediate focus is on finishing the F2 season as strongly as possible,” Tsolov said, as quoted by Autosport. Source
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