Nikola Tsolov on last-lap win and F2 title lead at Silverstone

At the Round 7 post-sprint press conference at Silverstone, Nikola Tsolov explained how a patient start, a major overnight setup change, and Gabriele Minì's Turn 3 lock-up on the final lap delivered his fifth 2026 F2 win and reclaimed the championship lead on countback at 116 points. Campos Racing's Tsolov joined sprint podium finishers Minì and Rafael Villagómez to break down a race that reset the title fight before Sunday's Feature Race.

The British Grand Prix weekend sprint unfolded on 4 July 2026 at Silverstone. Tsolov started sixth, reached third by lap one after passing Ritomo Miyata, and spent most of the 21-lap race hunting MP Motorsport's Minì. Formula Scout reported that Tsolov and Minì finished tied on 116 championship points, with Tsolov ahead on wins. Villagómez completed the podium for Van Amersfoort Racing.

Key Takeaways

• Nikola Tsolov won the Silverstone sprint from sixth, his fifth victory of 2026 and second sprint win of the season.
• Minì admitted a late lock-up at Turn 3 cost him the lead; he held second ahead of Villagómez by 1.291 seconds.
• Tsolov credited a big overnight car change for improved hard-compound pace more than the win itself.
• Both title rivals are level on 116 points; Rafael Câmara sits third on 82, per Formula Scout.
• Sunday's Feature Race at Silverstone was scheduled for 11:15 local time, per Formula 1.

What happened in the Silverstone sprint race?

Gabriele Minì led early from the front row after a strong launch, with Villagómez second and Tsolov third after lap one. A safety car on lap two briefly neutralised the field before Minì controlled the restart.

Tsolov told reporters he stayed patient after his strong getaway, saving tyres while closing on Minì once DRS activated. Formula Scout described the decisive move on the final lap: as the leaders approached Luffield, Tsolov passed Minì for the lead. Formula 1 reported Minì locked up at The Loop, allowing Tsolov to use DRS down the Wellington Straight and complete the overtake around the outside at Brooklands.

Final order: Tsolov in 41:04.635, Minì +1.291s, Villagómez +1.698s. Kush Maini and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak rounded out the top five for ART Grand Prix.

What did Nikola Tsolov say at the press conference?

Tsolov said his start was "very good" despite nearly stalling on the formation lap. He and Campos chose the right launch strategy, reaching third by lap one and prioritising tyre management over early aggression.

He described relentless pressure on Minì once in DRS range: "He doesn't crack very easily under pressure." When Minì made "a little mistake in T3" on the final lap, Tsolov said he had already accepted second place. "I was just happy with the P2 at that point."

His standout message was setup, not celebration. Overnight changes lifted Campos' pace on hard tyres beyond expectations. "I'm happier about that rather than the win itself," he said, adding he wants a top-five Feature Race finish without unnecessary risk.

How are Tsolov and Minì handling the title fight?

Minì called his lock-up "a stupid mistake" after pushing too hard into Turns 1 and 2. He said tyre management became critical with about 12 laps remaining and admitted he did not expect to keep Tsolov behind once DRS opened—yet he did until the last lap.

Despite the on-track rivalry, both drivers emphasised mutual respect. Minì noted they shared Alpine Academy training in 2023 and 2024: "We always respect each other. So it's quite nice to have such a nice championship battle."

Villagómez, third on the podium for a second consecutive sprint, said his middle-stint pace lagged the leaders when DRS was "super powerful." He said Van Amersfoort has struggled with tyre degradation since Barcelona and is working race by race to recover.

What comes next at Silverstone?

Round 7 continues with the Feature Race on Sunday morning. Formula 1 listed a 11:15 local start, giving Tsolov and Minì another chance to reshape a championship deadlocked at the top.

For more on how data-driven racing tech is reshaping feeder-series competition, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage. Full quotes and the official transcript are on the FIA Formula 2 website.