‘He’s next in line’

Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane has identified F2 racer Nikola Tsolov as the next candidate for a potential F1 promotion. While no official decision has been made for the 2027 season, Tsolov's strong performance in the junior series has placed him at the top of the team's radar.
Why it matters
This highlights the evolving driver market in Formula 1 and the strategic pipeline for young talent within the Red Bull racing ecosystem.
‘He’s next in line’ – Permane provides update on Tsolov's future with Racing Bulls Alan Permane has offered his thoughts on Nikola Tsolov’s potential future in F1.
Alan Permane has revealed that F2 racer Nikola Tsolov is “next in line” for a promotion to Racing Bulls, with the team yet to confirm their line-up for the 2027 season.
After previously shutting down speculation that the 19-year-old had already been offered a full-time drive, the Team Principal praised his impressive performances in the junior series, where he currently leads the standings by 17 points.
With four Feature Race victories to his name and a place in the Red Bull Junior Team, Tsolov is amongst those emerging in driver market conversations, with both Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad tied to deals that expire at the end of this season.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in