Nikola Tsolov
| Nikola Tsolov | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Bulgarian |
| Born | 21 December 2006 Sofia, Bulgaria |
| FIA Formula 3 Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2023 |
| Current team | Campos Racing |
| Car number | 12 |
| Former teams | ART Grand Prix |
| Starts | 48 (48 entries) |
| Wins | 5 |
| Podiums | 7 |
| Poles | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 2 |
| Best finish | 11th in 2024 |
| Previous series | |
| 2023 2023 2022 2018–21 | Eurocup-3 FR Middle East Championship F4 Spanish Championship Karting |
| Championship titles | |
| 2022 | F4 Spanish Championship |
Nikola Dimitrov Tsolov (Bulgarian: Никола Димитров Цолов; Bulgarian pronunciation: [ni'kɔɫa dimiˈtrɔf ˈt͡sɔɫɔf]; born 21 December 2006) is a Bulgarian racing driver who is currently competing with Campos Racing in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship, after racing with ART Grand Prix for two seasons.
He won the 2022 F4 Spanish Championship as a rookie. Tsolov was a member of the Alpine Academy from 2022 until 2024,[1] before moving to the Red Bull Junior Team. He currently holds the record for most wins (5) in Formula 3.
Career
[edit]Karting
[edit]The Bulgarian lion (a nickname that he gained early in his career)[2] started his karting career in 2016, supported by his father Dimitar.[3] He became Republican champion in 2016 and 2017 in the Bulgarian Mini class.
In 2018 he moved to the Italian championships.[4] He won the WSK Open Cup in 60 Mini karts in 2019.[5] He the came seventh in the CIK-FIA World Championship in OKJ in 2020, and was second in the 2021 WSK Final Cup in OK, driving for DPK Racing as part of Fernando Alonso's FA Racing team.[6] Tsolov was invited by Alonso to drive alongside him in the 2021 edition of 24h Endurance race in Dubai, where they finished 3rd.[7][8]
Formula 4
[edit]2022
[edit]After competing for Fernando Alonso's karting team for two years, Tsolov became one of the first drivers to join A14 Management along with Clément Novalak.[9] Tsolov joined the F4 Spanish Championship for 2022 with Campos.[10] He started the season at Algarve with a double pole.[11] In the first race he unfortunately finished 14th after a problem at the start, but he finished in fifth in the second race and won the third, along with setting the fastest lap in every race.[12] He kept the good pace in the second round at the Circuito de Jerez by setting a pole position and a fastest lap in all three races, finishing second in the first race and winning second and third races, which took him to the lead of the championship.[13] The next weekend at Circuit Ricardo Tormo he dominated the field, winning all three starts along with two pole-positions and another three fastest laps.[14] Tsolov secured his championship win on 2 October, after finishing second in the third race at Circuito de Navarra, winning the title three races before the end of season.[15]
Formula Regional Middle East
[edit]In February 2023, Tsolov took part in the last round of 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship driving for R&B Racing by GRS, as part of his preparation for Formula 3 season.[16] In the first race of the weekend he finished in 9th place, finished 6th place in the second race and 15th in the third one. He was the only driver to score points for R&B Racing in the championship.[17]
FIA Formula 3
[edit]2023
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In September 2022, Tsolov took part in the FIA Formula 3 post-season test, driving for ART Grand Prix.[18][19][20] On 19 December it was announced that he would be one of ART Grand Prix drivers for the 2023 season.[21] Tsolov scored two points finishes in the sprint races in Spa-Francorchamps and Monza. He finished the season in 22nd place.
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2024
[edit]
ART Grand Prix retained Tsolov for the 2024 season.[22] His first victory came in Monaco, where he won the sprint race.[23] He was the first Bulgarian driver to win a race in the series.[24] His second win of the season came in the sprint race in round 6 of the championship in Spielberg,[25] and he took a third in the Hungary feature race.[26] Tsolov would miss the round at Spa-Francorchamps due to racing there in Eurocup-3 because of the rule that you cannot drive at an circuit on the F3 or F2 calendar if you race there earlier in the year. Because Tsolov was barred from competing, he was replaced by Tuukka Taponen.[27] He finished the season in 11th overall.
2025
[edit]Tsolov returned to Campos Racing, the team he won the 2022 F4 Spanish Championship with, for his third Formula 3 season for 2025, partnering Mari Boya and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak.[28] He took his first win of the season in Bahrain, equalling the record for most wins in the series.[29] In Monaco, Tsolov took his maiden F3 pole position, topping the Group A session ahead of teammate Boya.[30] He went on to win the feature race, making him the first driver to win five races in FIA Formula 3.[31]
Eurocup-3
[edit]2023
[edit]Shortly after his FIA Formula 3 season, Tsolov contested in the 2023 Eurocup-3 season with GRS Team. He entered 2 of the 8 rounds, finishing the championship in 10th place with two podiums.[32]
2024
[edit]Alongside his FIA Formula 3 campaign, Tsolov signed with GRS Team to compete in the full 2024 Eurocup-3 season.[33] He finished 11th in the championship with only one podium.
2025
[edit]In the 2025 off-season, Tsolov competed in one round of the 2025 Eurocup-3 Spanish Winter Championship with Campos Racing.[34] He finished races one and two in fourth place, and retired from race three. He finished 12th in the standings with 22 points.
Formula One
[edit]Tsolov became a member of the Alpine Affiliate programme in March 2022.[35] On 14 February 2023 he was promoted to a full member of Alpine Academy.[36] On 4 November 2024, Tsolov announced on social media that he would leave the academy with immediate effect.[37]
However, just a day later, he was announced to be joining the Red Bull Junior Team for 2025.[38]
Karting record
[edit]Karting career summary
[edit]| Season | Series | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bulgarian Republic Championship – Mini | 1st | |
| 2017 | Bulgarian Republic Championship – Mini | 1st | |
| ROK Cup Italy – Mini ROK | Speed Kart | 25th | |
| 2018 | WSK Open Cup – 60 Mini | Birel ART Racing | 33rd |
| WSK Final Cup – 60 Mini | 21st | ||
| 2019 | South Garda Winter Cup – Mini ROK | Newman Motorsport | 14th |
| WSK Super Master Series – 60 Mini | 14th | ||
| Italian Championship – 60 Mini | Team Driver Racing Kart | 12th | |
| Trofeo delle Industrie – 60 Mini | 11th | ||
| WSK Euro Series – 60 Mini | 11th | ||
| ROK Cup Superfinal – Mini ROK | 12th | ||
| WSK Open Cup – 60 Mini | 1st | ||
| WSK Final Cup – 60 Mini | 13th | ||
| 2020 | WSK Champions Cup – OKJ | DPK Racing | 11th |
| South Garda Winter Cup – OKJ | 11th | ||
| WSK Super Master Series – OKJ | NC | ||
| CIK-FIA European Championship – OKJ | 19th | ||
| WSK Euro Series – OKJ | 11th | ||
| Champions of the Future – OKJ | 15th | ||
| CIK-FIA World Championship – OKJ | 7th | ||
| WSK Open Cup – OK | 5th | ||
| 2021 | WSK Champions Cup – OK | DPK Racing | 8th |
| WSK Super Master Series – OK | 8th | ||
| WSK Euro Series – OK | 4th | ||
| Italian Karting Championship – X30 Senior | 2nd | ||
| CIK-FIA European Championship – OK | 4th | ||
| WSK Open Cup – OK | 5th | ||
| Champions of the Future – OK | 3rd | ||
| CIK-FIA World Championship – OK | 5th | ||
| South Garda Winter Cup – OK | 4th | ||
| WSK Final Cup – OK | 2nd | ||
| Sources:[39][40] | |||
Complete CIK-FIA Karting European Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | DPK Racing | OKJ | ZUE QH 15 |
ZUE R 8 |
SAR QH 13 |
SAR R NR |
WAC QH 43 |
WAC R DNQ |
19th | 8 | ||
| 2021 | DPK Racing | OK | GEN QH 7 |
GEN R 5 |
AUB QH 14 |
AUB R 29 |
SAR QH 1 |
SAR R 2 |
ZUE QH 2 |
ZUE R 17 |
4th | 55 |
Complete Karting World Championship results
[edit]| Year | Team | Class | Quali Heats | Main race |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 |  DPK Racing
|
OKJ | 4th | 7th |
| 2021 | DPK Racing
|
OK | 7th | 5th |
Racing record
[edit]Racing career summary
[edit]| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | F4 Spanish Championship | Campos Racing | 21 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 400 | 1st |
| 2023 | Formula Regional Middle East Championship | R&B Racing by GRS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 23rd |
| FIA Formula 3 Championship | ART Grand Prix | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 22nd | |
| Macau Grand Prix | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | DNF | ||
| Eurocup-3 | GRS Team | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 44 | 10th | |
| 2024 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | ART Grand Prix | 18 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 75 | 11th |
| Eurocup-3 | GRS Team | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 47 | 11th | |
| 2025 | Eurocup-3 Spanish Winter Championship | Campos Racing | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 12th |
| FIA Formula 3 Championship | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 79* | 2nd* |
* Season still in progress.
Complete F4 Spanish Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Campos Racing | ALG 1 14 |
ALG 2 1 |
ALG 3 5 |
JER 1 2 |
JER 2 1 |
JER 3 1 |
CRT 1 1 |
CRT 2 1 |
CRT 3 1 |
SPA 1 1 |
SPA 2 1 |
SPA 3 1 |
ARA 1 2 |
ARA 2 1 |
ARA 3 4 |
NAV 1 3 |
NAV 2 2 |
NAV 3 3 |
CAT 1 1 |
CAT 2 1 |
CAT 3 1 |
1st | 400 |
Complete Formula Regional Middle East Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | R&B Racing (GRS) | DUB1 1 |
DUB1 2 |
DUB1 3 |
KUW1 1 |
KUW1 2 |
KUW1 3 |
KUW2 1 |
KUW2 2 |
KUW2 3 |
DUB2 1 |
DUB2 2 |
DUB2 3 |
ABU 1 9 |
ABU 2 6 |
ABU 3 15 |
23rd | 10 |
† – Driver did not finish the race but was classified, as he completed more than 90% of the race distance.
* Season still in progress.
Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ART Grand Prix | BHR SPR 26 |
BHR FEA 15 |
MEL SPR 11 |
MEL FEA 21 |
MON SPR 14 |
MON FEA 11 |
CAT SPR 13 |
CAT FEA 19 |
RBR SPR 16 |
RBR FEA 16 |
SIL SPR 15 |
SIL FEA 11 |
HUN SPR Ret |
HUN FEA 25 |
SPA SPR 7 |
SPA FEA 17 |
MNZ SPR 9 |
MNZ FEA 12 |
22nd | 6 | ||
| 2024 | ART Grand Prix | BHR SPR 4 |
BHR FEA 11 |
MEL SPR 20 |
MEL FEA 19 |
IMO SPR 13 |
IMO FEA 26 |
MON SPR 1 |
MON FEA 27 |
CAT SPR 13 |
CAT FEA 6 |
RBR SPR 1 |
RBR FEA 6 |
SIL SPR 5 |
SIL FEA 15 |
HUN SPR 29 |
HUN FEA 1 |
SPA SPR |
SPA FEA |
MNZ SPR 19 |
MNZ FEA 17 |
11th | 75 |
| 2025 | Campos Racing | MEL SPR 8 |
MEL FEA Ret |
BHR SPR 1 |
BHR FEA 5 |
IMO SPR 3 |
IMO FEA 9 |
MON SPR 24 |
MON FEA 1 |
CAT SPR 3 |
CAT FEA 5 |
RBR SPR |
RBR FEA |
SIL SPR |
SIL FEA |
SPA SPR |
SPA FEA |
HUN SPR |
HUN FEA |
MNZ SPR |
MNZ FEA |
2nd* | 79* |
* Season still in progress.
Complete Macau Grand Prix results
[edit]| Year | Team | Car | Qualifying | Quali Race | Main race |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |  ART Grand Prix
|
Dallara F3 2019 | 15th | 13th | DNF |
Complete Eurocup-3 results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | GRS Team | SPA 1 |
SPA 2 |
ARA 1 |
ARA 2 |
MNZ 1 |
MNZ 2 |
ZAN 1 |
ZAN 2 |
JER 1 2 |
JER 2 2 |
EST 1 |
EST 2 |
CRT 1 9 |
CRT 2 Ret |
CAT 1 WD |
CAT 2 WD |
10th | 44 | |
| 2024 | GRS Team | SPA 1 Ret |
SPA 2 C |
RBR 1 |
RBR 2 |
POR 1 9 |
POR 2 9 |
POR 3 8 |
LEC 1 |
LEC 2 |
ZAN 1 6 |
ZAN 2 8 |
ARA 1 5 |
ARA 2 3 |
JER 1 10 |
JER 2 Ret |
CAT 1 |
CAT 2 |
11th | 47 |
Complete Eurocup-3 Spanish Winter Championship results
[edit](key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Campos Racing | JER 1 4 |
JER 2 4 |
JER 3 Ret |
POR 1 |
POR 2 |
POR 3 |
ARA 1 |
ARA 2 |
12th | 22 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Nikola Tsolov". Alpine Cars. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Момче от България с реални шансове да бъде пилот от Формула 1
- ^ Талантливият новобранец
- ^ "Българчето, което впечатли легендата Фернандо Алонсо". Fakti.bg - Да извадим фактите наяве (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "ЗВЕЗДА В КАРТИНГА: Никола Цолов - 12-годишният световен шампион от България". nova.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2021-12-26). "The top karting stars of 2021". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Поповска, Михаела (2019-02-13). "15-годишен прославя България в картинга в отбора на Алонсо". trud.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Никола Цолов: Искам да съм първият българин във Формула 1". bnr.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ FormulaRapida.net (2022-03-03). "Alonso starts A14 management; reveals Novalak & Tsolov as first signings". FormulaRapida.net. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Bulgaria's Nikola Tsolov joins Campos Racing in Spanish F4 - Formula 2". 2022-03-10. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2022-04-30). "Nikola Tsolov starts Spanish F4 season at Algarve with double pole". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Wood, Ida (2022-05-01). "Alonso protege Nikola Tsolov wins in first weekend in cars in Spanish F4". Formula Scout. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Nikola Tsolov se confirma como favorito en la segunda cita de la Fórmula 4". TheBestF1.es. 2022-05-29. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ topsport.bg (2022-06-12). "Никола Цолов с четвърта поредна победа във Формула 4". Topsport.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Никола Цолов стана шампион на Формула 4 Испания". www.bta.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Димов, Мирослав (2023-02-17). "Никола Цолов ще вземе участие в три старта на Яс Марина". ClubS1.bg (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Actualno.com (2023-02-19). "Никола Цолов завърши 15-ти в Абу Даби". Actualno.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Formula 3 returns to action with post-season testing in Jerez". FIA_Formula 3 – The Official F3 Website. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ "Jerez post-season testing Day 2 entry list". FIA_Formula 3 – The Official F3 Website. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Jerez post-season testing Day 3 entry list". FIA_Formula 3 – The Official F3 Website. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- ^ Walsh, Fergal (2022-12-19). "Spanish F4 champion Tsolov joins ART GP in F3". Motorsport Week. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "ART Grand Prix confirm Nikola Tsolov for 2024 season". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ Wood, Will (2024-05-25). "Alpine junior Tsolov cruises to first F3 win at Monaco after pile-up at start". RaceFans. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Turner, Tori (2025-05-15). "How F3 drivers are preparing for three back-to-back European rounds". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2025-05-16.
- ^ "F3: Tsolov wins frantic Spielberg Sprint Race". Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "F3 Hungary: Tsolov wins as title leaders flounder". Archived from the original on 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ "Tsolov's maiden F3 win in Monaco 'a step out the hole I've been stuck in'". Formula Scout. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Campos Racing sign Nikola Tsolov for the 2025 Formula 3 season". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ Spadi, Daniele (2025-04-12). "Tsolov fends off debuting Slater for record-tying fourth F3 win in Sakhir". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Spadi, Daniele (2025-05-23). "Tsolov shines in Monaco to claim dominant maiden F3 pole". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
- ^ Spadi, Daniele (2025-05-25). "Tsolov says he 'couldn't feel any better' after breaking F3 win record". Feeder Series. Retrieved 2025-05-27.
- ^ Wood, Ida (21 September 2023). "GRS to run all-new Eurocup-3 line-up and Spanish F4 debutants at Jerez". Formula Scout. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
- ^ Alonso Lopez, Alejandro (16 April 2024). "Nikola Tsolov and Isaac Barashi to race for GRS in Eurocup-3". Formula Scout. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Spanish Winter Championship (6 February 2025). "Here are the drivers that will take part of the first ever round of the #SpanishWinterChampionship". Instagram.
- ^ Alpine launches new ‘Affiliate’ driver programme
- ^ "Mini and Tsolov join Alpine Academy for 2023 season". FIA_Formula 3 – The Official F3 Website. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
- ^ Wood, Ida (5 November 2024). "Nikola Tsolov announces departure from Alpine Academy". Formula Scout. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Wood, Ida (6 November 2024). "Red Bull add Niklas Schaufler and Nikola Tsolov to junior team for 2025". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ "Nikola Tsolov". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ kartcom (2018-06-21). "Tsolov Nikola". Kartcom. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
External links
[edit]- Nikola Tsolov career summary at DriverDB.com
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