The FIA Formula 2 titles fight heads to the Red Bull Ring
The 2026 FIA Formula 2 season is preparing for another round of the current campaign as the entire paddock of the FIA’s premier feeder series heads to the Red Bull Ring. Campos Racing travels to Austria after both of its drivers, Nikola Tsolov and Noel León, delivered outstanding performances in the previous events. Five victories and seven podium-finishes in total clearly demonstrate the level displayed by the Alzira-based squad so far this season.
Tsolov, who in his rookie FIA Formula 2 campaign has been living up to his “Bulgarian Lion” nickname more than ever, currently occupies second place in the Drivers’ Championship with 80 points, just six shy of the championship lead that he will once again target this coming weekend. The Red Bull Junior Team driver opened his victory account in Melbourne, where he claimed victory in the feature race. The Bulgarian quickly followed it up with a second win at Miami, in the category’s maiden visit to the venue, where he triumphed in the sprint race. Another particularly special success came in Monaco, the iconic street circuit that ranks among Tsolov’s specialties. More recently, Tsolov—who has also collected two bonus points thanks to a pair of fastest laps—added another podium finish to his tally at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, where he finished third in Saturday’s race.
León is also delivering an outstanding level of performance in what is likewise his first season competing in such a demanding and competitive category. His fifth place in the Drivers’ Championship with 54 points is proof of that. The Mexican enjoyed a sensational debut weekend by finishing second in the sprint race at Albert Park. His maiden Formula 2 victory came at a circuit that was new to everyone, Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where he won the opening race of the weekend. As if that were not enough evidence of his talent, he also took victory on the streets of the Principality of Monaco. One statistic highlights his consistency: of the ten races held so far this season, León has scored points in nine of them, including two fastest laps.
In the Teams’ Championship, Campos Racing leads the standings with 134 points, nineteen clear of its closest rival, buoyed by the confidence that comes from having demonstrated competitiveness at every circuit visited so far, securing podium finishes at each one of them.
The Red Bull Ring is certainly a unique circuit. The track was completed in the late 1960s in the heart of a mountainous region, which gives it the rollercoaster character that has defined it since its origins, when it was known as the Österreichring. Host of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix from 1970 to 1987, it underwent its first major redesign in the mid-1990s, when it was renamed the A1-Ring. Following a partial demolition in 2004, the venue was rebuilt and shaped into the layout that remains in use today. With only ten corners, lap-time differences are typically minimal. The first two sectors are particularly fast, while the third is more technical. The braking zones at Remus and Rauch are likely to provide the main overtaking opportunities, especially with the assistance of DRS on a circuit of this nature
Free Practice will get underway on Friday at 11:05, with Qualifying scheduled for later that afternoon at 15:55. The Sprint Race will take place on Saturday at 14:15, while Sunday’s Feature Race is due to start at 10:10. All times are CET.
Adrián Campos (Team Principal of Campos Racing): “We arrive in Austria in a very positive moment for the team. Both Nikola and Noel have shown throughout the season that they have the talent and speed required to fight at the front every weekend. We have been competitive at every circuit visited so far and our goal is to maintain that level of performance at the Red Bull Ring. It is a very demanding track where every detail matters due to the small gaps that usually separate the drivers, but we have full confidence in our package and in the work being done by everyone in the team. We want to keep scoring valuable points in both championships and continue fighting for the drivers’ and teams’ titles.”
