Racing Bulls hand Liam Lawson's car to 2027 rival Tsolov for Mexico FP1
Photo: Race Pictures
Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Nikola Tsolov will take over Liam Lawson's car for the first practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Racing Bulls have confirmed. It will be the Bulgarian's first official Formula 1 session, and it comes from the same team that has not yet decided whether he or Lawson gets a race seat in 2027.
In the team's announcement, Tsolov will drive the VCARB 03 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with Racing Bulls describing the outing as an important milestone for a Red Bull Junior Programme driver. Lawson will therefore start his running at the second practice session instead.
Permane calls Tsolov outing a natural next step
Team principal Alan Permane presented the session as part of Tsolov's development rather than as a statement about next year. "Running Nikola in FP1 is an important step in his development within the Red Bull Junior Programme," he said, adding that the team wanted to see the 19-year-old build on the experience he gained at Imola.
That Imola test took place in August, when Tsolov completed 690 kilometres over 143 laps in the 2025-specification VCARB 02 as part of a Testing of Previous Cars programme. That test was also what qualified him for an FP1 outing. Tsolov thanked the team and said he would focus on providing useful feedback during the session.
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A big thank you to VCARB for giving me this opportunity in Mexico.- Nikola Tsolov
He will not be the only newcomer on track. Fred Vesti, Leonardo Fornaroli, Gabriele Mini, Ryo Hirakawa, Freddie Slater, Luke Browning, Jak Crawford and Colton Herta are all also scheduled to appear in the same session.
Why the session is mandatory - and crucial
Racing Bulls had to give a rookie this session. Under the 2026 sporting regulations, every team must run a driver with no more than two Grand Prix starts in at least two practice sessions per car, which makes four rookie outings a season. Tsolov's run completes Racing Bulls' rookie requirement for the rest of the year. Mexico is also a familiar choice for the team as Lawson had an FP1 outing there in 2022 and Isack Hadjar had one in 2023.
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What makes this one different is whose car it is. Tsolov is second in the Formula 2 standings and a clear option to step up if Racing Bulls do make a change.
Lawson's case rests on his 2026 results
Lawson comes to Mexico with 77 points. He finished ninth in Austin, which was his 13th points finish of the season. He has already said he does not know whether he will stay, as GPblog reported and the team have still not announced a decision on Lawson, Arvid Lindblad and Tsolov.
On paper, then, the session is a box Racing Bulls had to tick. But it also gives the team a first direct comparison between the two drivers in the same car, at a time when the 2027 decision is still open.
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