Jul.25 (GMM) Red Bull’s next F1 star Nikola Tsolov was reportedly rescued from serious financial difficulty after Dr Helmut Marko extracted him from a restrictive agreement linked to Fernando Alonso’s management structure.
Days ago, Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane described the Formula 2 championship leader as “next in line” for a Formula 1 promotion with the energy drinks-owned empire.
But according to f1-insider.com’s Ralf Bach, the Bulgarian’s rise has taken place amid considerable financial strain.
“Helmut Marko practically bought him out of Alonso,” Bach said.
“What I’ve been told is that he had a ruthlessly restrictive contract with the young man, so that he’s still in debt now.”
Tsolov was previously part of Alonso’s driver management system before joining Red Bull’s driver academy.
The precise terms of the alleged agreement are not public, and neither Alonso nor his management has responded to the report.
Bach says Red Bull are now “helping him wherever they can.”
“Without Red Bull, he would be almost bankrupt, according to my information,” he added.
The allegations are particularly striking given Tsolov’s dominant performances in Formula 2. “He’s very fast, he hardly makes any mistakes, he drives consistently,” Bach said.
“Driving under these circumstances, practically with existential fears, is not easy at all.”
Tsolov has won six races and leads the championship, placing him firmly in contention for a Racing Bulls seat if Liam Lawson or Arvid Lindblad move on.
Meanwhile, Alonso made headlines of a different kind in Hungary by introducing his baby son Leonard to Aston Martin personnel in the garage for the first time.
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