Racing
© Morio
David Coulthard says Red Bull’s growing Formula 1 driver squeeze is a sign of strength, not a crisis, as Nikola Tsolov’s surge has added another serious contender to just four seats across Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
Speaking on the Up to Speed podcast, the former Formula 1 driver said Red Bull is trying to manage a crowded pool that includes Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad and Tsolov. With only four cars available between its two teams, Tsolov’s rise has made the selection picture even tighter.
That pressure has increased because the Bulgarian now leads the Formula 2 championship after taking his third straight win at Silverstone. One summary of his recent run noted that, combined with his Austria feature-race victory, it made him the first driver in F2 to win three races in a row.
Coulthard said Red Bull should view that situation as an advantage. “It’s a good problem to have. I guess there’s always a possibility that, if they’re happy with the others, they could help position him somewhere else,” he said of the options around Tsolov.
The debate comes with more uncertainty around Red Bull than usual. Verstappen’s future remains a constant subject of speculation, with one summary noting that his exit clause appears set to activate during the summer break. Lawson has also batted away questions about his own prospects, even as he has been viewed as the likely driver to make way despite his form.
For Coulthard, the bigger point is that Red Bull’s driver pipeline is not close to slowing down. He said the company remains “ahead of the game” in its long-term motorsport investment and added: “I don't think they're thinking 'we're getting to the limit of what we can afford to invest in this'.”
He also made clear that Tsolov is not just another junior name in the queue. “Listen for that name, Nikola Tsolov from Bulgaria,” Coulthard said. “He drives very well, is a great personality out of the car as well, so I'm looking forward to seeing him in F1.”