P12 on debut: Bulgaria's Tsolov impresses in first Formula 1 practice
Nikola Tsolov finished 12th on his Formula 1 debut in Mexico, just 0.126 seconds behind Racing Bulls race driver Arvid Lindblad. A seat pressing on his leg briefly held him up.
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Video: YouTube · FORMULA 1 · youtube.com
Nikola Tsolov made a strong start in first practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Driving Liam Lawson's Racing Bulls car, the Bulgarian lapped in 1:19.604 on soft tyres, according to ClubS1.net, to finish 12th. According to Formula1.com he was just 0.126 seconds behind team-mate Arvid Lindblad, and 0.059 seconds behind Red Bull's Isack Hadjar. Focus News reported a top speed of 346.2 km/h on the main straight.
With around ten minutes to go Tsolov briefly pitted. He reported on the radio that the seat was pressing on his leg and cutting off circulation, according to Motorsport-Total, before heading back out. "I think I was ready for it," Tsolov said, according to Formula1.com. "I think I can do a lot better – just keep on building onto that and learning more about how everything works."
The best of the ten young drivers was Dane Frederik Vesti in third for Mercedes. Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane named Tsolov alongside Lawson and Lindblad as candidates for the team, according to Formula1.com, but stressed the session "isn't an audition". According to Focus News, Fernando Alonso spoke to the Bulgarian in the paddock after practice.