Red Bull Junior Team driver Nikola Tsolov has reached a major milestone in his career after driving a Formula 1 car for the first time, completing 690km of running with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls at Imola.
Tsolov took the wheel of the VCARB 02 at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Italy as part of a Testing of Previous Cars programme, giving the young driver his first experience behind the wheel of F1 machinery.
“First TPC day in a Formula 1 car done, and I’m super happy with how today went. I really enjoyed every lap and it’s difficult to put into words what it means to finally get this opportunity,” Tsolov said.
“A massive thank you to VCARB and the Red Bull Junior Team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. It’s something I’ve been working towards my whole life, so to finally experience it is pretty incredible.
“I still don’t think I’ve fully comprehended what we achieved today, but I enjoyed every lap and hopefully I’ll get the chance to add some more kilometers soon.”
Another step through the Red Bull pathway
The test represents another stage in Tsolov’s development as part of the Red Bull Junior Programme, which has long been used as a pathway for young drivers aiming to reach Formula 1.
Racing Bulls operates as part of that system, providing opportunities for developing drivers to gain experience as they progress towards the highest level of single-seater racing.
The programme has produced multiple Formula 1 drivers over the years, with four-time World Champion Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel among its most successful graduates.
According to Racing Bulls, seven drivers on the 2026 Formula 1 grid began their careers within the programme.
For Tsolov, Thursday’s test provided an opportunity to take the significant step from junior machinery into a Formula 1 car while working directly with the Racing Bulls operation.
Team Principal Alan Permane was encouraged by how the youngster adapted during his first experience.
“Today was a really positive step for Nikola. He adapted quickly to the car and showed the composure you want to see from a driver taking on an F1 car for the first time,” Permane said.
“The outing is part of the ongoing development plan the team runs for its junior drivers, giving them the tools, the mileage, and the environment to develop. We’ve seen time and again what this pathway can produce, and it’s days like today that are part of how we keep building it.”
690km of valuable F1 experience
Tsolov’s 690km programme was conducted under Formula 1’s Testing of Previous Cars provisions, which allow teams to run older machinery for testing purposes.
For a developing driver, such running provides valuable experience of the increased performance and complexity of Formula 1 machinery while also giving the team an opportunity to assess how they adapt to the car and working environment.
Racing Bulls has continued to position itself as a development platform within the wider Red Bull operation. The Faenza and Milton Keynes-based team is one of two Red Bull-owned Formula 1 teams and also competes in F1 Academy as part of its commitment to developing emerging racing talent.
