Tsolov named Red Bull and Racing Bulls third driver for 2027

Red Bull and Racing Bulls have named Nikola Tsolov as their third driver for 2027, giving the 19-year-old Formula 2 title contender a place at every grand prix weekend but not a race seat.

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will retain Racing Bulls' race seats next year, leaving no immediate cockpit for Tsolov. RacingNews365 describes a race seat with the team in 2028 as a likely future step for him.

Tsolov is also set for multiple FP1 outings under the FIA rule requiring teams to field young drivers who have made no more than two grand prix starts.

Red Bull says his development programme will combine simulator and development work with practice running, Testing of Previous Cars (TPC), selected test sessions and tyre testing. The TPC programme will use older machinery to build mileage.

His first experience of grand prix machinery came in 2026, with a TPC run at Imola followed by his first practice outing in Mexico.