Nikola Tsolov continues to make history in the world of motor sports! The Bulgarian ace of "Campos Racing" won his very first start of the new Formula 2 season - the Australian Grand Prix.
Almost two weeks after this incredible success, Tsolov returned to our country, and right next to him were two of his team bosses - Adrian Campos and Andreu Romera.
Tsolov is a discovery of Campos Racing. He has been driving for the Spanish team since 2022, when it was part of Formula 4.
Now that the level is already a step above Formula 1, things are much more serious. Ambitions too, especially after the victory in Australia!
"Our plans are clear: to win Formula 2. If Nikola finishes at least in the top 5 in the final standings, he will have a serious opportunity to move up to Formula 1.", Adrian Campos was categorical in front of bTV.
Certainly the big goal is for Nikola to drive at the highest level. He is only 19, but he has the drive and talent to do it. This is also the desire of his team.
"I remember how when he started karting, people said that he was one in a million pilots. Even then, we were interested in working with him. From the first moment he entered the simulator, we realized that there was something different in him. Red Bull knows that Nikola is special. From the results he achieves, the chances increase. I don't know when something like this will be decided. I would tell you only one thing: you have the real opportunity to have the first Bulgarian in Formula 1", manager Andreu Romera is categorical.
Bulgarian Formula 2 driver Nikola Tsolov made an excellent start to the season after triumphing in Melbourne, and in a special interview he revealed what this success brought him and how he looks at the next challenges.
"It is important for me to have perseverance and to be able to repeat weekends like this. The victory gave me the belief that what we are doing as a pre-season job is clearly working, which is very good information for us to continue in the same spirit“, said Tsolov, quoted by BNT.
The Bulgarian admitted that although the team expected a strong performance, the victory was not guaranteed in the first round.
"After the tests, we were not so confident that we would have such a high chance of winning the race, but even in training we were very fast. In qualifying I had traffic, but we knew that on Sunday we would fight for the victory“, he added.
Tsolov emphasized that the triumph in Australia is even more valuable to him, since the track is not among the most successful in his career.
"Historically this is not my strongest track, so the victory was even sweeter after all the moments I have had there“, commented the pilot.
He also drew attention to the unusual break in the calendar, caused by canceled races, emphasizing that he will look for ways to maintain his form.
"The idea is not to stop the momentum. We will have to work a lot on the simulator and find options to be as prepared as possible. "We are not allowed to drive the Formula 2 car outside of races, so we have to compensate in other ways," Tsolov explained.
In terms of the car's development, the Bulgarian believes that the key is consistency and better handling.
"The car is certainly very fast, but sometimes it is difficult to drive. Our goal is to make it as consistent as possible and understand why it worked so well in Australia, so that we can apply it to other tracks," he said.
Despite leading the standings after the first round, Tsolov remains realistic about his chances of a future step up to Formula 1.
"It is too early to talk about that. The season is long and the most important thing is to be consistent. If I am in the top 5 all the time, I believe I will have a chance for the next step“, he said.
Tsolov also commented on the role of Dr. Helmut Marko in his development, expressing gratitude for the support.
"He gave me a chance to join Red Bull and I am very grateful. It is a pity that he is no longer part of the structure, but the requirements and standards remain the same“, he noted.
In conclusion, Nikola Tsolov stressed the importance of discipline and mental resilience in his development.
"I promise myself to continue working in this hard way. Discipline is key - I have to put myself in difficult situations to build mental resilience and cope in the decisive moments“, the Bulgarian pilot concluded.