Nikola Tsolov set for F1 practice debut with Racing Bulls in Mexico

Racing Bulls has confirmed that Nikola Tsolov will replace Liam Lawson in the VCARB 03 for opening practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Bulgarian will drive at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Friday, October 30, marking his first official session during a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend.

After the testing, preparation and anticipation, Tsolov will have the opportunity to take another significant step in his development: driving a current Formula 1 car alongside the championship’s regular competitors. The outing will give the Red Bull junior valuable experience of the pace and demands of a Grand Prix weekend.

For the Bulgarian fans following his progress, it is a moment that brings his Formula 1 ambitions into much sharper focus.

In its October 28 announcement, Racing Bulls confirmed the outing. Tsolov thanked the team and said he wants to build on his Imola experience, understand the current car and give the engineers useful feedback. Alan Permane described the session as another stage in the Bulgarian’s development and an opportunity for him to contribute to the team’s weekend preparations.

When will Tsolov drive in Mexico FP1?

Opening practice is scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2026, from 12:30 to 13:30 local time in Mexico City. That is 18:30–19:30 UTC and 20:30–21:30 in Bulgaria, according to the official Formula 1 timetable.

Tsolov will have an hour to work with the engineers and build his understanding of the car. Every run will matter, with the session placing him directly inside the team’s race-weekend operation.

From Imola testing to a Grand Prix weekend

Tsolov’s preparation included the Imola test reported by Formula1.com in August. He completed 690 kilometres in the VCARB 02 as part of a Testing of Previous Cars programme. In Racing Bulls’ official account of the test, team principal Alan Permane highlighted his quick adaptation and composure.

Mexico will introduce a different setting: a fixed session window, other cars on track and a programme integrated into the team’s preparations for the weekend. It is an opportunity to develop his understanding of how an F1 team works when track time is limited and each run needs to deliver useful information.

Why the timing sheet will tell only part of the story

From Pitlane24’s perspective, the most revealing part of the outing will be how Tsolov builds his session: how quickly he finds a rhythm, how consistently he drives and how effectively he completes the work assigned to him. A headline lap time will attract attention, but it will offer only a partial view of his performance.

The circuit adds another dimension. The Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez measures 4.304 kilometres and sits more than 2,000 metres above sea level. It will be another unfamiliar environment for Tsolov to learn within a single practice session.

A strong Formula 2 campaign provides the backdrop

The official Formula 2 announcement places Tsolov second in the championship with Campos Racing, with six victories and nine podiums in total and two rounds remaining. His FP1 appearance therefore comes during the decisive stages of his title challenge.

Those results provide the context for his next step. FP1 will give him a chance to show how his strengths translate to another car and to working with a Formula 1 team. A practice appearance does not itself confirm a full-time race seat, but it provides a tangible opportunity to demonstrate his progress.

For Tsolov, Friday in Mexico will be an hour of work with plenty to learn. For the Bulgarian fans who have followed his journey, it will be an hour they have been waiting to see.