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Highly-Rated Junior Makes Incredible F1 Car Debut Test
Highlights
- Nikola Tsolov drove an F1 car for the first time at Imola.
- Tsolov completed 690 kilometers in the VCARB 02 car Thursday.
- F1 testing car age rule waived due to new 2025 regulations.
- Tsolov leads 2026 F2 championship with six wins and 20-point lead.
- Alan Permane praised Tsolov’s quick adaptation and composure.
- Test marks key milestone in Tsolov’s potential F1 career progression.
Nikola Tsolov made his first run in an F1 car at Imola on Thursday, covering 690km in the VCARB 02. The outing advances Red Bull’s evaluation of its leading junior.
The 19-year-old Bulgarian heads the 2026 Formula 2 standings and now adds valuable F1 mileage. A temporary waiver allowed use of a recent car amid 2025 regulation changes.
The VCARB 02 has raced with Yuki Tsunoda, Isack Hadjar, and Liam Lawson this year. Lawson’s trajectory has been dissected in the Liam Lawson Red Bull verdict, offering a useful comparator.
Tsolov said he was super happy, describing every lap as enjoyable. He thanked VCARB and the Red Bull Junior Team, and targeted further running to accelerate learning.
Tsolov completed 690 kilometers at Imola in a current-spec VCARB 02.
Racing Bulls head Alan Permane called the test a positive step, citing quick adaptation and composure. He framed the day within a structured programme focused on mileage and tools. The emphasis mirrors the themes in the Red Bull regroup Zandvoort coverage.
Alan Permane praised Tsolov’s composure and rapid adaptation on debut.
In F2, Tsolov owns six wins, four in features, plus a Silverstone double across feature and sprint. A three-race streak, including Austria’s feature, underlined momentum. He leads Gabriele Mini by 20 points with five rounds left.
Permane stressed composure as a key first-day metric in modern F1 machinery. He indicated further opportunities as the team balances junior development with operational demands.
Six wins and a 20-point lead underline Tsolov’s 2026 F2 title push.
The Imola running strengthens Tsolov’s candidacy for a future race seat if progress continues. For now he prioritises the F2 title fight and additional mileage within planned programmes. Context around timing and pathways features in the Red Bull F1 debut and recent Red Bull camp mood coverage.
Visual Summary
690km
Nikola Tsolov Rockets into F1
with a Stunning Imola Debut
with a Stunning Imola Debut
Red Bull’s 19-year-old F2 leader takes flight with a flawless 690km F1 test drive.
Helmet on, nerves of steel—future star ignites!
Helmet on, nerves of steel—future star ignites!
F2
★ F1 Debut
F1
6 F2 wins • 20pt lead • 1 Imola milestone
“
Every lap was a dream. I’m super happy—I can’t put it into words!
”
Every lap was a dream. I’m super happy—I can’t put it into words!
”
— Nikola Tsolov
Composed under pressure: Permane lauds Nikola for rookie composure.
Red Bull’s pipeline keeps rolling; Tsolov’s F1 ascent begins now.
Red Bull’s pipeline keeps rolling; Tsolov’s F1 ascent begins now.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
