Nikola Tsolov to make F1 debut in Mexico City FP1, replacing Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls

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Nikola Tsolov will drive Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls car in the first practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix, marking the Bulgarian’s official Formula 1 debut. The 19-year-old Red Bull junior takes over the VCARB 03 for Friday’s FP1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, while Lawson will begin his weekend in the second practice session. This move comes as Racing Bulls continues to evaluate its driver lineup for the 2027 season, with Tsolov, Lawson, and teammate Arvid Lindblad all in contention for two seats.

Team principal Alan Permane framed Tsolov’s FP1 outing as a key step in his development within the Red Bull Junior Programme. “Running Nikola in FP1 is an important step in his development,” Permane said, emphasizing the team’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent. Tsolov previously tested with Racing Bulls at Imola in August, completing 143 laps in the 2025-spec VCARB 02. That test, part of the Testing of Previous Cars programme, helped qualify him for this race weekend opportunity.

Tsolov currently sits second in the Formula 2 championship, trailing leader Rafael Câmara by seven points with two rounds remaining. His F2 campaign includes six wins, showcasing his credentials as a serious title contender and a strong candidate for a future F1 seat. He joined the Red Bull Junior Team in 2025 after winning the Spanish F4 title in 2022 and finishing runner-up in FIA Formula 3 the same year.

The FP1 session in Mexico also fulfills a regulatory requirement introduced in 2026, mandating each F1 car to be driven by a rookie-defined as a driver with no more than two Grand Prix starts-in at least two practice sessions per season. Racing Bulls has used Mexico as a favored venue for rookie outings in recent years, with Liam Lawson himself making his FP1 debut there in 2022, and Isack Hadjar doing the same in 2023 before both graduated to full-time race seats.

Tsolov expressed gratitude for the chance and a clear focus on maximizing the session. “A big thank you to VCARB for giving me this opportunity in Mexico. 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,” he said. “I’ll focus on making the most of the session, working closely with the team and providing useful feedback.”

Lawson, who has scored points in 13 races this season and sits ninth in the drivers’ championship with 77 points, remains a strong contender for a Racing Bulls seat next year. However, the team has yet to announce its 2027 lineup, with Permane acknowledging the challenge of choosing between three talented drivers for two seats.

Friday’s FP1 will also feature several other rookies from various teams, including Fred Vesti, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Colton Herta, as teams comply with the rookie outing rules. For Tsolov, this session offers a crucial chance to demonstrate his readiness for Formula 1 race duty and to stake his claim for a future seat with Racing Bulls or within the Red Bull stable.

The decision on Racing Bulls’ 2027 driver lineup is expected in the coming weeks, making Tsolov’s performance in Mexico City a significant milestone in his bid to secure an F1 race seat.