‘He’s next in line’ – Permane provides update on Tsolov's future with Racing Bulls

Alan Permane has revealed that F2 racer Nikola Tsolov is “next in line” for a promotion to Racing Bulls, with the team yet to confirm their line-up for the 2027 season.

After previously shutting down speculation that the 19-year-old had already been offered a full-time drive, the Team Principal praised his impressive performances in the junior series, where he currently leads the standings by 17 points.

With four Feature Race victories to his name and a place in the Red Bull Junior Team, Tsolov is amongst those emerging in driver market conversations, with both Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad tied to deals that expire at the end of this season.

Speaking in Friday's press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix, Permane said of Tsolov: “He's doing incredibly well. I think this morning in Free Practice he was quickest.

“He’s now leading the championship after his great weekend at Silverstone, so to say he's on the radar would be a little bit of an understatement. He’s next in line, I think is fair to say.

“When that will be, I don't know, honestly. It’s not an untruth to say we’re not thinking about it at the moment. He's there, he’s doing his job, we're doing our job, and we'll make a call if and when he comes up to Racing Bulls later this year.”

Despite the question marks over their plans for next season, Lawson and Lindblad have continued to deliver impressive results over recent rounds, including an ongoing streak of four double points finishes.

Their consistency has so far earned them sixth in the Teams’ Championship, but they are just one point behind Alpine and are aiming to be ‘best of the rest’, even if it means that Racing Bulls have to monitor the developing rivalry between the pair.

“It’s good to have two quick guys, that's for sure,” Permane summarised. “I’m sure there’ll be some management needed.

“They’re incredibly close – I think if you look at this morning, their ideal laps are separated by milliseconds, so it’s going to be nip and tuck all year.”