Red Bull hopeful handed debut F1 outing

Nikola Tsolov, a promising young driver from Bulgaria, is set to make his debut in Formula 1 machinery at Imola this week. He is currently leading the Formula 2 standings and has been part of the Red Bull junior program since last year. Tsolov will be testing a VCARB 02 from 2025, as Red Bull evaluates its driver lineup for the upcoming season amidst strong performances from fellow junior drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad.

Red Bull's team principal Alan Permane has indicated that Tsolov is a strong candidate for a race seat, although he may also take on a reserve role. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which was removed from the calendar last year, could potentially return as a substitute for upcoming races. The final decision regarding the driver lineup will be made later in the season, with both Bayer and Permane emphasizing the importance of performance in their evaluations.