Nikola Tsolov: Formula 2 Debut | F2 News

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Nikola Tsolov Makes historic Formula 2 Debut in Qatar

A promising start for the young Bulgarian driver as he embarks on a new chapter in his racing career.Nikola Tsolov marked a significant milestone on Thursday, November 28, 2025, with his first official laps in Formula 2, debuting with the Campos Racing team during the free practice session at the Lusail circuit in Qatar. This debut represents a crucial step in his advancement following a accomplished run in Formula 3 earlier in the season.

First Practice Session: A Confident Start

Tsolov concluded the practice session in 18th position, achieving a lap time of 1:40.087 over 20 laps. While 1.4 seconds behind the fastest time set by Leonardo Fornanoni (1:38.656), the performance demonstrated stability and confidence for his first appearance in the highly competitive category. “The performance of the Bulgarian was stable and confident,” one observer noted, highlighting the positive initial impression.

During the 45-minute session,Tsolov experienced only a minor off-track moment in the 15th turn,quickly regaining control and continuing his run. This resilience underscored his composure under pressure.

Did you know? – Nikola Tsolov’s move to Formula 2 marks a significant step up from his successful Formula 3 season, showcasing his rapid progression in the world of motorsport.

Teammate Competition and Rising Talent

Tsolov’s teammate, Arvid Lindblad, finished instantly ahead of him, with a mere 0.072 seconds separating their lap times. While Lindblad posted faster times, they were not officially recognized due to track limit violations.Lindblad’s potential is widely recognized, with many anticipating his future arrival in Formula 1, adding an captivating dynamic to the comparison between the two Campos Racing drivers.

Pro tip: – Keep an eye on the lap times of both Tsolov and Lindblad, as their close competition could push them both to improve throughout the season.

Notably, Tsolov outperformed fellow newcomer Jaime Wharton, who finished in 21st place, further emphasizing the importance of his initial performance in the championship. A social media post from Formula 2 welcomed both Tsolov and Wharton to the grid:

Fresh faces here in Qatar 👋Welcome to the grid James Wharton and Nikola Tsolov 👊💙#F2 #QatarGP

Reader question: – Many fans are wondering how Tsolov will adapt to the increased power and downforce of formula 2 cars compared to Formula 3. His initial performance suggests a rapid learning curve!

Qualifying and Race Schedule

The Formula 2 schedule continues on Friday with qualifying at 18:10 Bulgarian time, followed by a sprint race on Saturday at 18:20, and the main race on Sunday at 14:00. All events will be broadcast live on DIEMA SPORTS 3, with comprehensive coverage available on Gong.bg.

Initial Qualifying Performance and Race to Improvement

Tsolov initially recorded his first Formula 2 lap in 2:01.362, qualifying 15th, but later dropped to 19th. However, the Bulgarian driver quickly demonstrated his ability to adapt and improve. Approximately ten minutes into the session, he significantly lowered his lap time to 1:43.196, climbing to ninth position. While subsequent faster laps from other drivers pushed him down the order, Tsolov continued to refine his pace.

Around 25 minutes before the session’s end, he was running in 18th, 1.720 seconds behind the leader, having completed nine laps. Later in the session, he improved to 17th with a time of 1:40.829,