Marko backs Nikola Tsolov: Racing Bulls should choose him over Lawson

Helmut Marko has backed Nikola Tsolov for a full-time Formula 1 seat in 2027. The former Red Bull adviser believes Racing Bulls should give the Bulgarian his opportunity when choosing between him and Liam Lawson.

In an interview with Austria’s Krone, reported by ClubS1, Marko linked his preference to the philosophy behind Red Bull’s junior programme: identifying and developing future Grand Prix winners. The Austrian brought Tsolov into the academy and is now publicly supporting the next step in his career.

Applying that philosophy to the current driver decision, Marko said, in translated remarks:

“The difficult decision between Liam Lawson and Nikola Tsolov at Racing Bulls should actually go in Tsolov’s favour.”

Support at a crucial moment

The comments come as Racing Bulls weighs its options for next season. Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have the advantage of experience with the current car, while Tsolov is fighting for the opportunity to step up from Formula 2.

Team principal Alan Permane has already acknowledged that the organisation has three strong candidates for two seats. Speed will be a central consideration, but the assessment also includes each driver’s potential for development. The team must weigh immediate results against what its drivers could achieve in the future, as reported by Grandprix.com.

That is where Marko’s position carries weight. His argument raises the question of how long a promising driver should have to wait before the programme preparing him for Formula 1 opens the door.

Nikola Tsolov has already taken the first step

Tsolov has already had an opportunity to demonstrate how he adapts to Formula 1 machinery during his Racing Bulls test at Imola in August. Afterwards, Permane praised how quickly he got to grips with the car and the composure he showed during his first such outing.

The test formed part of the Bulgarian’s development programme and allowed the team to assess his work beyond Formula 2 race weekends. Details of the outing were confirmed by Formula 1’s official website.

The decision remains with Racing Bulls

Marko is speaking as a former Red Bull adviser, with the final line-up decision still to come. His support, however, is clear: the man who shaped the progress of young drivers within the organisation for years believes Nikola deserves the chance to move up.

That leaves Racing Bulls facing the central dilemma: how much weight to place on the experience of its current line-up, and when the next prospect’s potential is enough to earn him an opportunity.