Nikola Tsolov completed his first Formula One test with Racing Bulls at Imola. The 19-year-old drove 690 kilometres in a previous-generation car under the Testing of Previous Cars programme.
Tsolov adapted quickly to the Racing Bulls car
The Imola programme gave Tsolov his first full day in Formula One machinery. Racing Bulls completed repeated runs so he could learn the car, work with the engineers and provide consistent feedback. Team principal Alan Permane praised Tsolov’s calm approach and quick adaptation. Racing Bulls did not publish lap times because the test was designed for development and driver learning, not direct competition.
Testing of Previous Cars gives a young driver more freedom than a Grand Prix practice session. The programme can include repeated starts, longer runs and deliberate setup changes without using the current race car. Tsolov completed enough distance for engineers to compare his early laps with later work. That progression is more useful for development than one isolated fastest time. Red Bull’s junior programme can use the data for later decisions, but no race promotion was announced. A first test normally answers basic questions about preparation, feedback and consistency. Further mileage would allow a deeper comparison. For now, the completed distance and the team’s public response are the measurable outcomes of Tsolov’s first day in Formula One machinery.
The test adds another step to his Red Bull programme
Tsolov is a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. A test in an older car gives him experience with Formula One power, braking and operating procedures without taking time from a Grand Prix weekend. Tsolov thanked Racing Bulls for the opportunity and said he wanted more mileage in the future. The team can now compare his comments with the data collected across the 690-kilometre programme.
The physical demands also changed from his usual Formula Two work. A Formula One car produces stronger braking loads and more sustained cornering force. Completing 690 kilometres required concentration across many separate runs, not only speed during a short qualifying simulation. Permane’s positive assessment focused on adaptation and composure, which are relevant when a driver is learning unfamiliar procedures.
Imola was also a useful venue for a first full test because its braking zones and direction changes expose several parts of a driver’s adaptation. Tsolov had to build speed without treating every lap as a qualifying attempt. Repeated clean runs allowed the programme to continue toward the reported distance and gave the engineers a larger sample than a handful of demonstration laps.
| Test Information | Verified Information |
|---|---|
| Racing Driver | Nikola Tsolov |
| Team | Racing Bulls |
| Test Session | Previous-Car Test At Imola |
| Distance | 690 Kilometres |
| Formula Two Championship Lead | 20 Points |
His Formula Two title fight remains the priority
Tsolov leads the Formula Two standings by 20 points over Gabriele Mini. His next championship round is at Monza, where the title battle will remain his immediate focus. The Imola test does not confirm a Formula One race seat. It gives Red Bull and Racing Bulls more information about Tsolov’s development while he continues his Formula Two campaign.
Communication formed another part of the day. Tsolov had to describe changes in balance clearly enough for the engineers to match his comments with telemetry. Repeating a run after an adjustment allowed the team to check whether his description remained consistent. This process helped Racing Bulls evaluate how quickly he could work within a Formula One engineering group.
A full day supplied more data than a short practice run
The distance allowed Tsolov to repeat procedures, try setup changes and complete longer runs. That work is different from a one-hour practice session during a race weekend, when track time is limited. Racing Bulls did not identify the exact car specification or publish a fastest lap. The confirmed result is a completed 690-kilometre test and a positive first assessment from the team.
His championship position makes the timing notable. Tsolov returned from Imola with a 20-point Formula Two lead, so the Monza round still carries immediate sporting consequences. The F1 test adds experience without changing the points table. He must now switch back to the Formula Two car and its different braking, tyre and power characteristics.
No Comments