Red Bull Junior Nikola Tsolov made his Formula 1 debut at Imola, and a driver also made his debut for Ferrari, while a shootout appears to be on the horizon at Haas
Red Bull Junior Nikola Tsolov has reached a milestone in his career and completed his first meters in a Formula 1 car. On Thursday, the Formula 2 points leader was given the opportunity to drive a Racing Bulls VCARB 02 from the 2025 Formula 1 season at Imola, taking the next step in his development.
“My first TPC day in a Formula 1 car is done, and I’m super happy with how the day went,” says Tsolov, who covered a total of 690 kilometers. “I really enjoyed every single lap, and it’s hard to put into words what it means to finally get this chance.”
“This is something I’ve been working toward my whole life, and to finally experience it for myself is just incredible,” says the Bulgarian. “I don’t think I’ve fully grasped yet what we’ve achieved today, but I enjoyed every lap and hope I’ll soon get the chance to add a few more kilometers.”
“Today was a really positive step for Nikola,” says Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane. “He adapted quickly to the car and showed the composure you want to see from a driver sitting in a Formula 1 car for the first time.”
First time in an F1 car ✅
Our Red Bull Junior Team driver, Nikola Tsolov, took part in our TPC today in Imola, racking up some valuable mileage VCARB pic.twitter.com/AkJzwHD2qf
— Visa Cash App Racing Bulls F1 Team (@visacashapprb) August 27, 2026 blockquote>
“This assignment is part of the team’s ongoing development plan for its young drivers, designed to provide them with the tools, the mileage, and the environment they need to grow. We’ve seen time and again what this approach can produce, and days like today are a building block in how we’re continuously expanding that foundation,” said Permane.
After finishing as runner-up in Formula 3 last season, Tsolov moved up to Formula 2 this season, where he currently leads the championship in his debut year. He has already won six races and, based on his performances, is considered a candidate for a seat with Racing Bulls.
However, regular drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are currently performing so well that it could be difficult for the 19-year-old to secure an open seat.
Debut for Norman Nato, Shootout at Haas
Tsolov wasn’t the only driver to make his Formula 1 debut this week, however: Frenchman Norman Nato also drove his first laps during a TPC test, where he was behind the wheel of a Ferrari SF-25 from the previous season.
Formula E and WEC driver Nato, however, is not considered a candidate for Formula 1. Instead, he completed the test runs at Mugello—which took place on the track in parallel with the Pirelli test—as part of his work as a development and simulator driver for the Maranello-based team.
In addition to Nato, longtime test driver Antonio Fuoco and Ferrari’s Formula 2 juniors Rafael Camara and Dino Beganovic also took part in the two-day test.
Camara then traveled on to Portimão, where a test organized by Haas is scheduled, in which Leonardo Fornaroli and Ryo Hirakawa will also be participating. This test is likely to be of the utmost importance for all three, as they are competing for Esteban Ocon’s Formula 1 seat.
Haas is expected to take a very close look at the three and, based on the tests, possibly decide on the driver who will race alongside Oliver Bearman in 2027.