Red Bull Junior Nikola Tsolov Loses Austria F3 Win After Post-Race Disqualification

Nikola Tsolov’s commanding drive to victory at the Austrian Formula 3 feature race took an unexpected turn when the Red Bull-backed driver was stripped of his result due to a technical infringement. The FIA stewards announced post-race that Tsolov’s Campos Racing car failed to comply with the strict Formula 3 technical regulations, resulting in his disqualification and a significant shake-up in the championship standings.

Why Was Nikola Tsolov Disqualified from the Austria F3 Race?

After starting from pole and dominating the race at the Red Bull Ring, Tsolov crossed the finish line first, appearing to boost his championship hopes. However, post-race scrutineering revealed a crucial issue with his car: the wooden plank on the underside—designed to regulate ride height and prevent teams from running cars too low—showed excessive wear.

• FIA Regulations: Formula 3 cars must have a plank with a minimum thickness of 4mm after the race, allowing for ordinary wear and tear.
• Tsolov’s Car: The plank was measured at just 3.7mm, falling below the permitted limit.
• Team’s Explanation: Campos Racing argued that pre-race checks showed the plank was compliant, attributing the excessive wear to possible damage during the race, such as curb impacts.

Despite the team’s defense, the stewards concluded that normal racing incidents like running over curbs are expected, and the responsibility lies with teams to ensure compliance throughout the event. The regulation is clear: any breach, regardless of intent or circumstance, leads to disqualification.

Stewards’ Verdict and Impact on the F3 Championship

The stewards’ statement emphasized:

• The minimum plank thickness is set at 5mm ± 0.5mm, with a further allowance down to 4mm for wear and tear.
• Additional leniency for wear beyond this is not granted, as regulations already account for typical racing wear.
• Teams are responsible for car compliance at all times during a race weekend.

As a result, Tsolov’s disqualification dropped him from first to out of the points for the Austrian feature race. He now sits third in the Formula 3 championship, 28 points adrift of leader Rafael Câmara of the Ferrari Driver Academy, after six rounds.

What’s Next for Nikola Tsolov and Campos Racing?

This setback is a blow for both the Red Bull junior and Campos Racing as the F3 season intensifies. With the tight points battle, every result counts, and technical compliance is more crucial than ever. Tsolov and his team will need to ensure their car setup avoids similar pitfalls in future rounds.

Key Takeaways from the Austria F3 Disqualification

1. Technical Precision Is Crucial: Even minor regulation breaches can result in severe penalties, including disqualification.
2. Team Responsibility: Teams must anticipate and manage normal racing wear to stay compliant.
3. Championship Impact: Tsolov’s disqualification significantly alters the title fight heading into the second half of the season.

For the latest F3 and F1 news, analysis, and team-mate head-to-head stats, visit our Let’s Talk F1 blog. You might also be interested in our in-depth look at F1 points all-time rankings and insights on 2025 F1 team-mate comparisons.

Conclusion

Nikola Tsolov’s loss of victory in Austria serves as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of motorsport regulations. As the F3 title battle continues, teams and drivers must balance performance and reliability with strict adherence to the technical rulebook.