New hope for Nikola Tsolov: Croft sees Racing Bulls change becoming more likely for 2027

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Nikola Tsolov is back at the centre of the debate over Racing Bulls’ driver line-up. Following the Mexico City Grand Prix, Sky Sports commentator David Croft sees growing signs that the team could make a change for 2027. His assessment adds intrigue to the Bulgarian’s prospects, but it does not amount to a contract or a final decision.

What Croft actually said

According to comments from The F1 Show reported by GiveMeSport and republished by Yardbarker, Croft noticed a change in Liam Lawson’s demeanour during the Mexican weekend. His impression was that events might not be moving in the New Zealander’s favour.

“It’s just looking more and more likely that they’re going to change their line-up for next year,” Croft is quoted as saying.

He explicitly acknowledged that there had been no official announcement. His comments should therefore be understood as a prediction about Racing Bulls’ future, rather than an announcement that Tsolov has secured a race seat. The discussion of Lawson’s future is also listed in Sky Sports’ description of its 3 November episode.

A month ago, he backed Lawson

The contrast with Croft’s earlier position is striking. In a PlanetF1 report published on 7 October, he was quoted urging Racing Bulls to retain its existing line-up. He highlighted Lawson’s results and the way the driver had recovered from the difficulties surrounding his first Red Bull stint.

That does not necessarily mean Croft now considers a change fair. Believing that a driver deserves to stay and predicting what management will decide are two different things.

Tsolov is a genuine contender

The connection to Tsolov has a concrete basis. Formula 1’s official website identifies the Bulgarian, Lawson and Arvid Lindblad as the three contenders for Racing Bulls’ two seats. Its analysis suggests Lindblad appears more secure, although that remains a journalistic assessment.

Lawson has substantial arguments in his favour: regular Q3 appearances, points finishes and a successful spell standing in for Isack Hadjar at the senior team. This is therefore not simply a search for a replacement for a driver who has failed to deliver.

Mexico strengthened his case

Tsolov finished first practice in 12th place, just 0.126 seconds behind Lindblad. F1’s official rookie round-up described a clean session for the Bulgarian.

Team principal Alan Permane stressed, however, that the outing was not a direct shootout for the seat. Racing Bulls already knows Tsolov has speed from his Formula 2 performances; its interest was in his feedback, his response to car changes and his work with the engineers.

Mexico has therefore added meaningful experience to Tsolov’s candidacy. Croft’s comments suggest where he believes the situation is heading, but the decisive news will be Racing Bulls’ official choice.