Nikola Tsolov replaces Pepe Martí at Campos for the end of the season

A hope of Red Bull hunting another. While Pepe Martí was playing his second season of Formula 2 Under the Campos banner, the Spanish team announced his replacement for the remainder of the season by Bulgarian driver Nikola Tsolov. The Bulgarian's promotion to Campos, alongside Noel León, had been known for several weeks, but it was not scheduled to take effect until the start of the 2026 season.

Finally, Isack Hadjar's former team decided to get ahead of things by promoting the recent runner-up of Formula 3 replacing Pepe Martí, who has already begun his new experience in Formula E at Cupra KIRO. “First of all, I would like to thank Pepe for all these years spent together, from his beginnings with us in Spanish F4, then in Formula 3 and Formula 2,” greets Adrián Campos Jr, the team principal of the eponymous team. “We experienced incredible moments, achieved numerous victories and shared many podium finishes. On behalf of the entire Campos Racing team, I wish him all the best for the future.”

At Campos, Pepe Martí, currently sixth in the championship, has won three sprint races in 2025 and is ahead of his teammate Arvid Lindblad (7th) in the standings, who is widely expected to join Racing Bulls in Formula 1 Next season, Martí will be replaced by Tsolov starting in Qatar. The "Bulgarian Lion" will draw on the experience gained during his three Formula 3 seasons to perform quickly. He will be returning to a familiar environment, having won the Spanish F4 championship in 2022 with Campos Racing before rejoining the team for the 2025 Formula 3 season.

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Tsolov's early debut

"It's a very pleasant surprise to be able to make my debut this year in the last two Formula 2 races!" rejoices the former protégé ofAlpine. “I am very grateful to Campos Racing and Red Bull for their confidence and for giving me this opportunity. I have worked extremely hard and I feel ready to take this next step. I am looking forward to learning as much as possible and gaining valuable experience in preparation for 2026.”

"For Nikola, this is a fantastic opportunity to begin adapting to the category, and to do so in real racing conditions." Adrián Campos Jr. agrees. “We are already working intensively with him to ensure he arrives in Losail as prepared as possible, where he will be driving a car for the first time.” car of F2.

After having greatly contributed to giving Campos the team title in Formula 3, Nikola Tsolov will have to be imperious in Formula 2 to do the same with the Valencia-based team, currently third in the championship, 48 points behind Invicta and 36 points behind Hitech.