Bulgarian racing sensation Nikola Tsolov has secured a massive strategic advantage ahead of the Formula 2 Feature Race at the Canadian Grand Prix. The talented Campos Racing driver will now start directly from the front row of the grid in Montreal, following a wave of post-qualifying penalties handed down by the FIA stewards to his closest rivals.
Tsolov originally delivered an exceptional performance during a highly disrupted qualifying session, clocking the fourth-fastest time. However, subsequent grid reshuffles have officially promoted the “Bulgarian Lion” to the second position on the starting grid. This placement puts Tsolov in a prime position, starting side-by-side with pole-sitter Laurens van Hoepen for Sunday’s main event.
A Wave of FIA Penalties Shakes Up the Grid
The significant changes to the grid came after official three-place grid penalties were handed out to Rafael Câmara (Invicta Racing) and Alex Dunne (Rodin Motorsport). Both drivers received identical sanctions that apply to both Saturday’s Sprint and Sunday’s Feature Race.
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Câmara was penalized by the stewards for impeding Dunne during their flying laps in qualifying. In a turn of events, Dunne himself received an equal penalty shortly after for an unsafe on-track incident involving Campos Racing’s Rafael Villagómez.
Further chaos altered the final standings as Oliver Goethe and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak were stripped of their fastest lap times due to red-flag infractions. Goethe lost his top time following a heavy crash at Turn 4 that triggered a red flag, dropping him to 21st. Inthraphuvasak was also penalized for failing to respect red-flag conditions, sliding down to 20th position.
A Golden Opportunity for Victory in Montreal
Following a highly frustrating retirement in Miami—where Tsolov remarkably managed to retain his championship leadership despite the DNF—this front-row start at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve arrives at the perfect moment.
The iconic Montreal track is universally famous for its high-speed overtaking zones and unpredictable nature. Given the pure, blistering pace that Tsolov has demonstrated since the opening practice sessions, the Bulgarian star is now in a perfect position to fight not just for a podium finish, but for an outright victory in Canada.