How “fantastic work” by Lawson and Lindblad delays Racing Bulls’ decision on Tsolov in F1

Key takeaways

• High praise for Tsolov: F2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov has taken six wins and eight podiums in 2026, earning a TPC test in Imola with the VCARB 02.
• Strong incumbent lineup: Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are delivering top performances, with Lawson sitting ninth in the Drivers’ Championship and leading the team.
• Decision left to Permane: Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer confirmed that Team Principal Alan Permane will make the final call on the 2027 driver lineup.

Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer admitted that strong performances from current race drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have delayed any firm decision regarding Nikola Tsolov’s potential promotion to Formula 1 in 2027. Bayer confirmed that Team Principal Alan Permane will ultimately decide the lineup for the Faenza squad.

Bulgarian prospect Tsolov has dominated the Formula 2 Championship, accumulating six victories and eight podiums across nine double-header rounds. Standing atop the standings with 167 points—20 clear of second-placed Gabriele Minì—the 19-year-old earned a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) run this week at Imola behind the wheel of the VCARB 02.

However, the current Racing Bulls pairing leaves little urgency for roster changes. Rookie Lindblad has adapted quickly to 2026’s regulations, while Lawson has solidified his position as team leader—even standing in for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing during the Dutch GP.

Speaking to GPblog, Bayer explained why no immediate move has been made regarding Tsolov:

“No, because Arvid and Liam are doing a fantastic job,” Bayer said. “I believe Liam is currently ninth in the Drivers’ Championship and has shown in both qualifying and races that he is very fast.“

“The same is true, in fact, for Nikola, who is doing an excellent job in F2,” Bayer added. “In the end, the driver lineup for next year is a decision that Alan needs to make. So, he will do whatever is best for the team.“

The internal competition at Racing Bulls unfolds alongside major paddock moves, as Ferrari awaits dyno testing validation before confirming its upgraded engine for Monza, McLaren explains its appeal against Pierre Gasly’s restored Monaco GP podium, and Rafael Câmara prepares for a Haas evaluation test following an SF-25 run at Mugello.

Formula 1 returns from September 4–6 at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, the 13th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides complete live coverage of all track action. Follow all updates on our news page.

World Championship Standings (Top 5 after Dutch GP)

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Why has Racing Bulls delayed a decision on Nikola Tsolov for 2027?

Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer noted that current drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are performing at a high level, eliminating any need to rush roster changes.

2. What machine is Nikola Tsolov testing in Imola?

Nikola Tsolov is conducting a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) session driving the 2024-spec VCARB 02 machine at Imola.

3. Who leads the 2026 Formula 2 Championship standings?

Nikola Tsolov leads the F2 World Championship with 167 points, holding a 20-point cushion over Gabriele Minì.