Who is Nikola Tsolov? The Red Bull junior tipped to become Formula 1's next star

Nikola Tsolov has long been regarded as one of motorsport's brightest young talents, but 2026 has turned potential into genuine Formula 1 expectation.

The Bulgarian teenager has enjoyed a sensational start to his rookie Formula 2 campaign, putting himself firmly on the radar as Red Bull's next great academy graduate and fuelling speculation that a Formula 1 seat with Racing Bulls could arrive as early as 2027.

Before challenging for the final step on motorsport's ladder, however, Tsolov first made his name in one of Europe's most competitive junior championships — the Spanish F4 Championship .

Who is Nikola Tsolov?

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, in December 2006, Tsolov first climbed into a kart at the age of nine and immediately showed exceptional promise.

After dominating domestic competition, he moved into the fiercely competitive European karting scene, where his performances caught the attention of two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso.

Tsolov joined Alonso's management programme, with the Spaniard identifying him as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from karting. The partnership helped accelerate his development as he prepared to make the jump into single-seater racing.

How the Spanish F4 Championship launched Nikola Tsolov's career

Like many future Formula 1 drivers, Tsolov's first major step into single-seaters came in the Spanish F4 Championship.

Driving for Campos Racing in 2022, he produced one of the most dominant campaigns the series has ever seen.

Tsolov won 13 of the championship's 21 races, comfortably securing the title and establishing himself as one of the hottest prospects in world motorsport. The campaign transformed him from an exciting karting talent into a genuine Formula 1 prospect.

The Spanish F4 Championship has become one of Europe's leading breeding grounds for future stars, and Tsolov's title-winning season remains one of the benchmark performances in the series' history.

How Fernando Alonso and Red Bull shaped Nikola Tsolov's path to Formula 1

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Following his Spanish F4 triumph, Tsolov continued climbing the junior ladder with impressive performances in Formula 3.

His pace, racecraft and maturity soon attracted the attention of Red Bull, who added him to their prestigious Junior Team programme.

It is a pathway that has produced Formula 1 world champions Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen, while also helping launch the careers of several current Grand Prix drivers. For Tsolov, it represented another major step towards achieving his Formula 1 dream.

Nikola Tsolov's stunning Formula 2 start

Tsolov has carried that momentum into Formula 2 with a sensational start to the 2026 season.

Driving for Campos Racing, the Red Bull junior has established himself as the championship's benchmark, collecting six victories across the opening half of the campaign. His dominant run made him the first driver in FIA Formula 2 history to win three consecutive races and left him just one victory shy of equalling the championship's all-time single-season wins record, jointly held by Charles Leclerc and George Russell.

Those performances have only strengthened the belief that Tsolov possesses everything required to make the step into Formula 1.

Could Nikola Tsolov race in Formula 1 in 2027?

Eric Alonso - Formula 1/Formula Motorsport Limited via Getty Images

With Racing Bulls expected to remain Red Bull's proving ground for emerging talent, Tsolov is increasingly being linked with a Formula 1 promotion for 2027.

Red Bull has consistently rewarded standout performances from its academy drivers, and Tsolov's rapid rise has followed a familiar pathway.

Nothing has been confirmed, but if he continues his remarkable Formula 2 form, few would be surprised to see the Bulgarian lining up on the Formula 1 grid next season.

Watch the next generation in the Spanish F4 Championship on DAZN

Watch the Spanish F4 Championship for free on DAZN

Nikola Tsolov used the Spanish F4 Championship as the launchpad for his rise towards Formula 1 — now you can watch the next generation of stars follow the same path.

The Spanish F4 Championship is available to watch for free on DAZN in most territories worldwide, excluding Brazil, Canada, the United States, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, the Caribbean, Central America, Latin America, Bermuda, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, the Falkland Islands, Guyana and Suriname.

Simply sign up for a free DAZN account or log in to start watching the Spanish F4 Championship live and on demand.