Sports · Motorsport · 5 hrs ago
Nikola Tsolov to replace Liam Lawson in Mexico City practice
Nikola Tsolov will take Liam Lawson’s car for opening practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix, his first session during an F1 race weekend.
The 19-year-old Bulgarian is a Formula 2 title challenger, currently second in the standings with two rounds left.
Racing Bulls has not confirmed either Lawson or rookie Arvid Lindblad for its 2027 line-up, and Tsolov is being considered for a promotion.
The team is weighing three drivers for two seats, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.
Lawson has scored points in 13 races this season and is ninth in the drivers’ standings, while helping Racing Bulls reach fifth in the constructors’ standings.
Tsolov’s outing also helps meet the rookie practice requirement for the team’s car.
He has already tested for Racing Bulls at Imola, completing 143 laps in its 2025 car.
Nikola Tsolov will replace Liam Lawson in Racing Bulls’ car for the opening practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The session will be Tsolov’s first appearance at an F1 grand prix weekend.
The 19-year-old Bulgarian is second in the Formula 2 championship, seven points behind Rafael Camara with two rounds remaining.
The appearance helps Racing Bulls meet the requirement for each car to be driven by an eligible rookie in at least two practice sessions this season.
The team has not formally confirmed either Lawson or Arvid Lindblad for its 2027 line-up.
- Who
- Nikola Tsolov will drive Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls car.
- What
- Tsolov will take part in the opening practice session. It will be his first appearance at an F1 grand prix weekend.
- When
- Friday. The exact date is not stated.
- Where
- Mexico City, at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Why
- The appearance gives Tsolov a chance to build on his previous test with the team and helps Racing Bulls meet its rookie practice requirement.
Supporters of retaining Liam Lawson
Supporters of promoting Nikola Tsolov
Driver selection
Supporters of retaining Liam Lawson
Sky Sports F1’s Naomi Schiff said Racing Bulls should think again if it had decided to replace Lawson or was still considering doing so.
Supporters of promoting Nikola Tsolov
Former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko said the choice between Lawson and Tsolov should go in Tsolov’s favour, in keeping with Red Bull’s young-driver philosophy.
Tsolov won the Spanish F4 title.
Tsolov joined the Red Bull Junior Team and finished runner-up in Formula 3.
Tsolov completed 143 laps in a private test with Racing Bulls at Imola.
Tsolov is due to drive Lawson’s car in the opening practice session.
- Driver
- Nikola Tsolov, 19-year-old Bulgarian
- Session
- Opening practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix
- Team car
- Racing Bulls VCARB 03
- F2 standing
- Second, seven points behind Rafael Camara with two rounds remaining
- Rookie requirement
- Each car must be driven by an eligible rookie in at least two practice sessions this season
2 sources
What people are saying
In keeping with this philosophy, the difficult decision between Liam Lawson and Nikola Tsolov at Racing Bulls should actually go in Tsolov’s favour.
I think that if RB have made a decision already to replace him, or if they’re still considering replacing him, I think they should think again.
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,
Having already worked with Nikola at Imola, we’re looking forward to seeing him build on that experience in Mexico and to the feedback he can provide to help support our preparations for the weekend,