A 19-year-old Bulgarian who has won three Formula 2 races in his debut season is reportedly on the verge of becoming the first driver from the Balkans to race in Formula 1. That is a genuinely brilliant story. The less brilliant part, for Liam Lawson, is that it might cost him his seat.
Almost Confirmed, But Not Quite
Spanish outlet SoyMotor broke the story, claiming that Nikola Tsolov has “secured” a drive at Racing Bulls for 2027. Sources closer to the situation, however, describe it more cautiously as a near-certain outcome rather than a rubber-stamped deal. Red Bull’s current obsession is locking down Max Verstappen, and no one is finalising anything else until that particular soap opera concludes. Still, Tsolov is clearly the favourite, and the gap between “likely” and “confirmed” is narrowing fast.
Why Tsolov Has Earned the Hype
The 19-year-old from Sofia has made his debut F2 season with Campos Racing look almost embarrassingly straightforward. A feature race win in Australia, a sprint victory in Miami, another feature win in Monaco. He currently sits second in the championship, six points behind F2 veteran Gabriele Minì. That kind of form does not happen by accident, and Red Bull’s decision-makers have taken notice. He was previously part of the Alpine Academy from 2022 to 2024, which tells you something about how highly regarded he has been for years. He is also managed by Fernando Alonso’s A14 Management, which puts him in interesting company. If confirmed, Tsolov would be the first Bulgarian and the first Balkan driver in the history of Formula 1.
The Problem: Lawson Is in the Way
Lawson has actually rebuilt his reputation rather well in 2026 after being brutally axed from Red Bull after just two races last season. He sits tenth in the standings with 28 points and has outscored rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad by a comfortable margin. None of that may matter if Red Bull has already decided the future belongs to Tsolov.
The Verstappen Wildcard
The entire jigsaw depends on one man. Red Bull are fighting hard to keep Verstappen in their camp, and his decision shapes everything downstream. If he stays, Lawson is the most likely departure. If Verstappen walks, the whole grid reshuffles and Lawson might survive by default.
A Brilliant Story With a Casualty
Tsolov reaching F1 would be a genuinely uplifting narrative. But for Lawson, who has worked hard to redeem himself after one of the cruellest axings in recent memory, the timing is brutal. In Red Bull’s world, loyalty runs in one direction only, and it is not towards the driver.
