Bulgarian motorsport fans hoping to see Nikola Tsylov move directly to a full Formula 1 seat may need to adjust their expectations. According to Standart, citing The New Zealand Herald via BGNES, the young Bulgarian driver's next move could be to Japan's Super Formula championship rather than the F1 grid.
Why the Red Bull door may have narrowed
The situation, Standart reports, comes down to Liam Lawson. Red Bull's bosses are said to be very satisfied with the New Zealander's performances as a reserve driver, and they reportedly plan to keep him as a race driver at Racing Bulls for at least one more season. That decision, the report suggests, comes at Tsylov's expense, with the seat many expected the Bulgarian to fill staying occupied.
What Red Bull is said to be offering Tsylov instead is a reserve driver role within the Red Bull program, combined with a race seat in Super Formula. The path has precedent: Standart notes that both Pierre Gasly and Lawson competed in Super Formula before earning their F1 opportunities. The championship is the top single-seater series in Asia and runs cars with higher-powered engines than Formula 2, making it one of the most demanding series outside Europe.
What this means for Tsylov's career
Tsylov has spent the 2025 Formula 2 season at the sharp end of the standings, collecting podiums and race wins. A move to Tokyo rather than a European F1 grid would delay his top-level debut, though drivers who perform well in Super Formula tend to keep Red Bull's attention. Gasly and Lawson both used the series as a route back into F1 contention.
No official confirmation from Red Bull or Tsylov's camp has been reported. Standart's account relies on The New Zealand Herald's reporting relayed through BGNES, and the situation has not been finalised.
