F2 championship leader, Nikola Tsolov, completed an F1 test for the first time today at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.

The Bulgarian youngster completed a 428 mile (690km) Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) programme, marking another important stage in his development as part of the Red Bull Junior Programme.

After being appointed to the Alpine Academy in early 2023, in late 2024 he announced he was to quit the Academy, subsequently joining the Red Bull Junior Team for 2025.

Following claims in the Spanish media that he is to replace Liam Lawson at Racing Bulls in 2027, team boss Alan Permane was forced to issue a denial, however there remains much interest in the youngster.

Before his Imola test, his previous experience of F1 cars was a show run in Sofia last year and at this year's Festival of Speed at Goodwood, where he drove the 2012 Red Bull RB8, albeit in a Racing Bulls livery.

"First TPC day in a Formula 1 car done, and I'm super happy with how today went," said Tsolov at the end of Thursday's running. "I really enjoyed every lap and it's difficult to put into words what it means to finally get this opportunity.

"A massive thank you to VCARB and the Red Bull Junior Team for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. It's something I've been working towards my whole life, so to finally experience it is pretty incredible.

"I still don't think I've fully comprehended what we achieved today, but I enjoyed every lap and hopefully I'll get the chance to add some more kilometres soon."

"Today was a really positive step for Nikola," added Alan Permane. "He adapted quickly to the car and showed the composure you want to see from a driver taking on an F1 car for the first time.

"The outing is part of the ongoing development plan the team runs for its junior drivers, giving them the tools, the mileage, and the environment to develop. We've seen time and again what this pathway can produce, and it's days like today that are part of how we keep building it."