Mekies points to possible 2028 F1 route for Tsolov

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Archive photograph: Laurent Mekies at Web Summit in Lisbon on 11 November 2025. Archive photo. Resized and converted to WebP. · 2025-11-11Archive photo · 2025-11-11 · Alex Broadway / Web Summit / Sportsfile · CC BY 4.0

Laurent Mekies says Nikola Tsolov’s 2027 programme is intended to prepare him to race in F1 the following season, pointing to a possible 2028 debut after Racing Bulls retained Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad.

From the GPBeat newsroomPublished · 12 Nov 2026, 17:24 · 1 min

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has pointed to a possible 2028 F1 debut for Nikola Tsolov, saying the 19-year-old’s programme in 2027 is intended to prepare him to race in the series.

Racing Bulls confirmed on Wednesday that Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will remain its race drivers in 2027, closing the only seat available to Tsolov in the short term. The Bulgarian is instead set for a reserve role combining simulator work, Testing of Previous Cars outings and mandatory rookie appearances in first practice.

Red Bull has used this kind of pathway to prepare its junior drivers before. Tsolov moved from the Alpine Academy into the Red Bull junior set-up in 2025 and is fighting for the Formula 2 title in his first full season at that level.

Mekies cited Tsolov’s fight for the F3 championship and his current F2 challenge when praising his ability and determination. He also highlighted the driver’s maturity and eagerness to keep learning.

Tsolov said becoming an F1 driver is his ambition. For now, he said, his priority is finishing the F2 season strongly.

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