Red Bull has announced a significant reshuffle within its racing ranks, confirming that Bulgarian prodigy Nikola Tsolov will step into Formula 2 for the season’s final two rounds. The decision underscores Red Bull’s continued pursuit of young talent amid a season of internal turbulence and underperformance from key names within its senior F1 setup.
The 2025 campaign has been anything but smooth for Red Bull. Liam Lawson’s abrupt dismissal early in the season led to Yuki Tsunoda’s promotion from the junior Racing Bulls team — a move that initially seemed promising but has since faltered. Tsunoda’s inconsistent performances have placed his future in doubt, fueling speculation that he may lose his seat to Isack Hadjar, the rising rookie tipped as Verstappen’s next potential teammate.
The latest adjustment, however, affects Red Bull’s Formula 2 outfit. Ahead of the penultimate race in Qatar’s Lusail International Circuit, the team confirmed that Tsolov will replace Pepe Marti, who has secured a deal with Cupra Kiro’s Formula E project for 2026. Despite Marti’s exit, Red Bull’s choice to promote Tsolov highlights its long-term investment in cultivating youthful excellence across its development ladder.
Tsolov, who finished runner-up in this year’s Formula 3 championship behind Rafael Camara, now faces a high-stakes audition. While the young Bulgarian won’t continue with Red Bull’s program in 2026, the team’s decision to give him immediate track time against rising star Arvid Lindblad signals a willingness to keep the door open for a future return, contingent on strong results in these final races.
In a statement following his unexpected promotion, Tsolov expressed gratitude and readiness: “It’s a pleasant surprise to be making my FIA Formula 2 debut this season. I’m thankful to Campos Racing and Red Bull for their trust. I’ve been preparing intensively for this moment and am eager to gain as much experience as possible for next year.” With Red Bull’s structure under scrutiny and its junior ladder in flux, Tsolov’s late-season cameo could mark the emergence of Formula 1’s next breakout name.
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