Nikola Tsolov to Replace Liam Lawson for FP1 in Mexico City
Liam Lawson will make way for Nikola Tsolov during the first practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Tsolov, a promising Red Bull junior, will gain valuable race weekend experience with Racing Bulls.
Liam Lawson will be taking a back seat for the first practice session at the Mexico City Grand Prix, as Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov steps into the Racing Bulls cockpit. The Bulgarian driver, who is currently making waves in the Formula 2 standings, will be getting his first taste of an official F1 race weekend with the team.
The Racing Bulls team has yet to finalize its driver lineup for the 2027 season. Lawson, along with Arvid Lindblad, remains in contention. However, Tsolov's inclusion in this weekend's activities suggests he is a serious candidate. Team principal Alan Permane has previously indicated that the team is in no rush to make a decision regarding its future driver roster.
Tsolov's prior experience includes testing with Racing Bulls, but this will be his first official outing during an F1 weekend. His session in Mexico will fulfill Racing Bulls' rookie driver requirement for the season, as stipulated by Formula 1 regulations, which mandate teams to give track time to drivers who have participated in fewer than two Grands Prix.
In expressing his gratitude, Tsolov said, "A big thank you to VCARB for giving me this opportunity in Mexico. After my test with the team at Imola in August, I’m eager to build on that experience and learn more about the car and current regulations."
Alan Permane added, "Running Nikola in FP1 is an important step in his development within the Red Bull Junior Programme. It shows our commitment to nurturing emerging talent and providing them with the track time they need to learn and grow."
Other teams are also shuffling their lineups for FP1 in Mexico City. Notably, Ayumu Iwasa will be stepping in for Max Verstappen at Red Bull during the first practice hour. Racing Bulls, on the other hand, has already had Lindblad and Iwasa fulfill three of their mandatory rookie sessions earlier in the season.
As the 2026 season wraps up, teams are not only focused on their current standings but also on grooming future talent. Tsolov's session in Mexico City is a testament to Racing Bulls' strategy of developing young drivers for potential future roles in the team.