Permane Shuts Down Tsolov 2027 Seat Rumours: 'We Haven't Spoken About It At All'
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has flatly dismissed speculation that Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov has been guaranteed a 2027 seat with the team, saying no internal discussions have taken place. Tsolov sits second in the 2026 F2 standings, but Permane reaffirmed his confidence in the current lineup of Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad.
Permane dismisses Tsolov guarantee claims ahead of Silverstone
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has firmly rejected reports that Formula 2 driver Nikola Tsolov has already been secured for a 2027 race seat, saying the subject has not been raised inside the team at all. [1] The claims, which originated in Spanish media, alleged that Tsolov was set to replace Liam Lawson alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad for the coming season. [3]
Speaking ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Permane described the reports as baseless. GPFans quoted the British team principal directly: "They are just rumours. We honestly haven't even discussed it." [2] He added that Tsolov is nonetheless on the team's radar given his standing in the Red Bull Junior programme, but underlined his contentment with the existing lineup. [2]
Tsolov's F2 form fuels the speculation
The rumours are not without context. Tsolov, a Bulgarian teenager racing for Campos Racing, has been one of the standout performers in the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship, claiming four victories across the season to date and sitting second in the drivers' standings. [6] His performances at the Red Bull Ring, in particular, drew attention, with his victory there reinforcing his profile as a Red Bull Junior to watch. [6]
Autosport has noted that the question of whether Tsolov or Lawson occupies a Racing Bulls seat in 2027 presents a genuinely difficult decision for the wider Red Bull organisation, not only for the Faenza-based squad. [4] Lawson himself has scored points at Monaco, Barcelona-Catalunya, and Austria in successive rounds, circuits that test very different skills, which Autosport highlighted as evidence of his growing consistency. [4]
:::analysis The timing of this story matters. Rumours of a pre-agreed seat deal surfaced right before a race weekend, in the middle of a run of solid points finishes for Lawson and Lindblad. Permane's public rebuttal, combined with his acknowledgement that Tsolov is on the team's radar, does not close the door on a future move; it simply confirms that no formal process is underway now. The situation is worth tracking as F2 standings crystallise later in the season. :::
Lawson relaxed amid the noise
Liam Lawson has responded to the speculation calmly, according to RacingNews365, offering an unbothered assessment of his partnership with Lindblad. [5] Permane's comments align with that tone, with the team presenting a unified front as it heads into the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Racing Bulls carried 41 points into the Austrian weekend, making driver stability a reasonable priority at this stage of the season. [1]
Related reading
- [1]Permane shuts down Tsolov seat rumours for 2027 (formula1). Accessed 2026-07-03.
- [2]Racing Bulls boss makes Tsolov statement as 2027 seat rumours ramp up (gpfans). Accessed 2026-07-03.
- [3]Racing Bulls address F1 driver speculation after Liam Lawson rumours (racingnews365). Accessed 2026-07-03.
- [4]Tsolov or Lawson? Red Bull and Racing Bulls face a tough decision over 2027 F1 line-up (autosport). Accessed 2026-07-03.
- [5]Liam Lawson shares feelings on Racing Bulls' driver situation after sudden speculation (racingnews365). Accessed 2026-07-03.
- [6]Tsolov reflects on third F2 Feature Race victory of the 2026 season at Austrian GP (pitdebrief). Accessed 2026-07-03.