Familiar faces and a fast start: Nikola Tsolov on signing for Campos Racing

Campos Racing and Nikola Tsolov are reuniting in 2025 as the Bulgarian driver returns for a third Formula 3 campaign next season.

The newly announced Red Bull Junior Team driver has fond memories of working with the Spanish outfit, as he claimed the 2022 Spanish F4 title in dominant fashion, winning 13 times across that year.

After taking part in both of the F3 post-season tests with Campos in Jerez and Barcelona, Tsolov gave his thoughts on his return to the team and what the future holds in 2025.

“I’ve got a pretty good history with the team, we did a really good job together in F4. I think the post-season tests went pretty well and went just as expected. So, the pace was always there and I’m just rediscovering that dynamic of working with the team.

“It’s good as we already know each other. We know the way I work and how the team works, so we can just get into a rhythm quickly.

“We’ve got a good connection, even friendship, so I think that’s really important to have to ensure a good environment and workspace. I’m ready to take on the next step and try to develop the car for next year.”

Tsolov will be working with the engineer he previously had at the team, something he says has already been a huge benefit.

Working with plenty of familiar faces around him, the Bulgarian driver says that his learning timeline is already much shorter than it would have been had he joined a completely new team.

After ending the Barcelona test as the fastest driver across the opening day of running, he was encouraged by what the team had shown despite not chasing outright laptime.

“I know pretty much everyone in the team already, so that was a big step. I just had to get used to the car, which is quite different to the ART, but I think it suited me quite well and I was up to speed pretty quickly. I’ve also got the same engineer I used to have, so that helps a lot too.

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“I was able to understand the Campos car and the dynamic of the team for next year a little bit more. We tried some car changes, practice procedures and we’re looking forward to understanding how to develop next year’s car. I wouldn’t say I was aiming for outright laptime in the test, but it was happening naturally, which was the best part.

“It makes you feel comfortable from the go. You don’t need to get used to a brand-new team again. It’s like you already know the people, and it’s like you build an even stronger connection when you know that you’ve been together, left the team and come back.

“I think for me personally, it’s an environment and team that I get along with, the people are a really important factor, so that’s definitely the key.”