Red Bull Eyes Tsolov for 2027 Racing Bulls Seat

Red Bull is weighing another junior promotion as Nikola Tsolov emerges as a serious option for Racing Bulls in 2027. While no deal is signed and the lineup remains fluid, the Bulgarian's rapid rise through Formula 2 is making him increasingly difficult to ignore.

Why it matters:

Racing Bulls has enjoyed a resurgent 2026 season, with Liam Lawson scoring points in five of the opening seven rounds and rookie Arvid Lindblad adding three top-10 finishes. Yet Red Bull's junior program operates on a meritocratic knife-edge, and Tsolov's three Formula 2 victories have put him squarely in contention for a seat, proving the Faenza squad is still vulnerable to internal reshuffling.

The details:

• Junior pedigree: Tsolov joined Red Bull's program in 2025 after leaving Alpine and Fernando Alonso's A14 Management. He finished runner-up in Formula 3 last year and currently sits second in the Formula 2 standings as a rookie.
• The incumbent dilemma: Lawson has delivered consistent points, but Lindblad is still finding his feet in F1. Red Bull has shown little hesitation in swapping drivers who fail to meet its exacting standards, leaving neither seat fully secure.
• The Verstappen variable: Tsolov's fate is also tied to Max Verstappen's future. If Verstappen makes a surprise move from Red Bull Racing, it could trigger a domino effect that reshuffles the entire Red Bull driver pyramid.

What's next:

Tsolov must sustain his Formula 2 form through the summer to cement his claim before Red Bull finalizes its 2027 plans. The decision on who exits Racing Bulls will likely crystallize in the coming months, with Lawson and Lindblad both under pressure to produce headline results. Until then, Tsolov remains the leading contender in what is shaping up to be another volatile Red Bull driver market.