Tsolov Realizes Goodwood Dream, Mercedes-AMG Responds to Donut Attempt

Bulgarian racing sensation Nikola TsolovPlayer·Nikola Tsolov, widely known as "The Bulgarian Lion," recently realized a long-held childhood dream by participating in the prestigious Goodwood Festival of SpeedCompetition·Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026. The Formula 2Competition·Formula 2 championship leader took to social media to express his profound gratitude and excitement over the experience.

"Goodwood 2026 – my first!" Tsolov shared on Instagram. "I remember dreaming about this as a child, and now I was a part of it! RB8 from Formula 1, Mercedes GT3, and so much more! Huge thanks to Red Bull for making this possible."

During the festival, Tsolov had the opportunity to drive a Mercedes-AMGTeam·Mercedes-AMG GT3 from WinwardTeam·Winward, a car previously piloted by Max VerstappenPlayer·Max Verstappen in this year's Nürburgring 24 HoursCompetition·Nürburgring 24 Hours. In a moment of spirited display, Tsolov attempted to perform a donut on a designated section of the track. While the maneuver did not fully materialize, requiring marshals to assist him back onto the asphalt, his candid account of the attempt on social media garnered a notable response.

Mercedes-AMGTeam·Mercedes-AMG Motorsport engaged with Tsolov's post, offering a playful yet insightful comment: "You'd be surprised what the car can do with traction control off." This interaction underscored the engaging spirit of the festival, where drivers connect with fans and manufacturers alike. Tsolov also showcased the RB8 Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 car, adorned in Racing BullsTeam·Racing Bulls colours, to tens of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

Beyond his memorable Goodwood appearance, Nikola TsolovPlayer·Nikola Tsolov continues to dominate the Formula 2Competition·Formula 2 season. He currently leads the overall standings with 141 points, holding a 17-point advantage over Gabriele MiniPlayer·Gabriele Mini. Tsolov's exceptional form includes three consecutive victories: one at the Austrian Grand PrixCompetition·Austrian Grand Prix and two at the British Grand PrixCompetition·British Grand Prix held at SilverstoneVenue·Silverstone. This achievement marks him as the first driver since 2012 to secure three successive wins in Formula 2Competition·Formula 2, and the first to win both the sprint and feature races at SilverstoneVenue·Silverstone since Lewis HamiltonPlayer·Lewis Hamilton in 2005. His season tally stands at six victories, comprising four feature race wins and two sprint triumphs. His second-place finish in Spain in June 2026 propelled him to the top of the championship standings, following his historic first Formula 2Competition·Formula 2 victory for a Bulgarian driver in the Melbourne feature race on March 8, 2026.

Tsolov's consistent and commanding performances position him as a prominent candidate for a future Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 debut. As a member of the Red BullTeam·Red Bull academy, he is slated to participate in previous car tests (TPC tests) with the Racing BullsTeam·Racing Bulls team this autumn. These tests are crucial for fulfilling the requirements to partake in official Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 free practice sessions. Peter Bayer, the CEO of Racing BullsTeam·Racing Bulls, has affirmed the necessity of these evaluations. Spanish publications, including SoyMotorCompetition·SoyMotor, have even speculated about Tsolov joining Formula 1Competition·Formula 1 in 2027, though this remains unconfirmed. His team principal at Campos RacingTeam·Campos Racing, Adrian CamposCoach·Adrian Campos, has also publicly stated that Tsolov merits a place in Formula 1Competition·Formula 1.