Nikola Tsolov
| Nikola Tsolov | |
|---|---|
 Tsolov in Eurocup-3 Valencia 2023 | |
| Nationality | Bulgarian |
| Born | 21 December 2006 Sofia, Bulgaria |
| FIA Formula 3 Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2023 |
| Current team | ART Grand Prix |
| Car number | 25 |
| Starts | 22 (22 entries) |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Best finish | 22nd in 2023 |
| 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: [ˈnikɔɫa dimiˈtrɔf ˈt͡sɔɫɔf]; born 21 December 2006) is a Bulgarian racing driver who is the champion of the 2022 F4 Spanish Championship and a member of the Alpine Academy. He is racing with ART Grand Prix in the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship.
Career[edit]
Karting[edit]
The Bulgarian lion (a nickname that he gained early in his career)[1] started his karting career in 2016, supported by his father Dimitar.[2] He became Republican champion in 2016 and 2017 in the Bulgarian Mini class. In 2018 he moved to the Italian championships.[3] Driving one of Kart Republic's machines for DPK Racing adorned in the colours of Fernando Alonso's FA Racing outfit, Tsolov was one of the breakout stars this year having gone from Mini to OK-J to OK in successive years.[4]
He won the WSK Open Cup in 60 Mini karts in 2019, came seventh in the junior world championship last year and then was absolutely on it at the senior level in 2021.[5] Tsolov was invited by Fernando Alonso to drive alongside him in the 2021 edition of 24h Endurance race in Dubai, where they finished 3rd.[6][7]
Formula 4[edit]
2022[edit]
After being on the radar of Fernando Alonso for 2 years, in March 2022 the Two times world champion announced the start of A14 Management with Tsolov and Clément Novalak becoming the first drivers joining the program, with Tsolov granting a place in the F4 Spanish Championship for 2022.[8] On 10 March 2022, Tsolov was announced as a driver of Campos.[9] He started Spanish F4 season at Algarve with double pole.[10] On the first race he started on pole, but unfortunately finished 14th, after a problem at the start, gained a 5th place on the second and won the third start with setting the fastest lap in every race.[11] He kept the good pace in the second round on the Circuito de Jerez with setting a poleposition and a fast lap in all three races with finishing second on the first race and winning second and third race which made him a leader in the championship.[12] The next weekend on Circuit Ricardo Tormo he completed his full dominance, winning all three starts with getting 2 pole-positions and another 3 fastest laps.[13] Tsolov secured his championship win on 2 October, after finishing second in the third race on Circuito de Navarra, winning the title 3 races before the end of season.[14]
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.[15] In the first race in the weekend he finished in 9th place, finishing on 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.[16]
FIA Formula 3[edit]
2023[edit]
In September 2022, Tsolov took part in the FIA Formula 3 post-season test, driving for ART Grand Prix.[17][18][19] On 19 December it was announced that he will be one of ART Grand Prix drivers for the 2023 season.[20] Tsolov scored two points finishes in the sprint races in Spa-Francorhamps and Monza. He finished the season in 22nd place.
2024[edit]
Despite a poor debut season, ART Grand Prix kept their faith and retained Tsolov for the 2024 season.[21]
Eurocup-3[edit]
Shortly after his FIA Formula 3 season, Tsolov contested in the 2023 Eurocup-3 season with GRS Team.[22]
Formula One[edit]
Tsolov became a member of the Alpine Affiliate programme in March 2022.[23] On 14 February 2023 he was promoted to a full member of Alpine Academy.[24]
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:[25][26] | |||
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 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7* | 16th* |
| Eurocup-3 | GRS Team |
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 Macau Grand Prix results[edit]
| Year | Team | Car | Qualifying | Quali Race | Main race |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |  ART Grand Prix
|
Dallara F3 2019 | 15th | 13th | DNF |
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 |
IMO FEA |
MON SPR |
MON FEA |
CAT SPR |
CAT FEA |
RBR SPR |
RBR FEA |
SIL SPR |
SIL FEA |
HUN SPR |
HUN FEA |
SPA SPR |
SPA FEA |
MNZ SPR |
MNZ FEA |
16th* | 7* |
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 | 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 |
* Season still in progress.
References[edit]
- ^ Момче от България с реални шансове да бъде пилот от Формула 1
- ^ Талантливият новобранец
- ^ Българчето, което впечатли легендата Фернандо Алонсо
- ^ Никола Цолов: Голямата ми мечта е "Формула 1"
- ^ The top karting stars of 2021
- ^ 15-годишен прославя България в картинга в отбора на Алонсо
- ^ Никола Цолов: Искам да съм първият българин във Формула 1
- ^ Alonso starts A14 management; reveals Novalak & Tsolov as first signings
- ^ Bulgaria’s Nikola Tsolov joins Campos Racing in Spanish F4
- ^ Nikola Tsolov starts Spanish F4 season at Algarve with double pole
- ^ Alonso protege Nikola Tsolov wins in first weekend in cars in Spanish F4
- ^ Crónica: Nikola Tsolov se confirma como favorito en la segunda cita de la Fórmula 4
- ^ Никола Цолов с четвърта поредна победа във Формула 4
- ^ Никола Цолов стана шампион на Формула 4 Испания
- ^ Никола Цолов ще вземе участие в три старта на Яс Марина
- ^ Никола Цолов завърши 15-ти в Абу Даби
- ^ "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.
- ^ Spanish F4 champion Tsolov joins ART GP in F3
- ^ "ART Grand Prix confirm Nikola Tsolov for 2024 season". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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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