In a dramatic turn of events at the Austrian Grand Prix, Bulgarian driver Nikola Tsolov was disqualified from what initially appeared to be a commanding victory in the sixth round of the 2025 Formula 3 season.
The Campos Racing driver had led the race from pole position and crossed the finish line first at the Red Bull Ring, only to be later excluded from the results due to a technical infraction.
Tsolov’s disqualification came hours after widespread celebration in Bulgaria, including official congratulations from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Natalia Kiselova.
In a statement issued by the parliamentary press center, Kiselova praised the young driver’s apparent triumph and his contribution to Bulgarian motorsport. However, her message was quickly overshadowed by the announcement of Tsolov’s disqualification.
According to a statement from the Formula 3 stewards, Tsolov’s car — designated as number 12 — failed post-race scrutineering.
The technical delegate’s report indicated that the car’s floor plate did not comply with the specifications outlined in Article 3.2.2 of the championship’s Technical Regulations. As a result, Tsolov was disqualified from the race, and all other drivers were promoted one position in the final standings.
This unexpected decision handed the victory to Norwegian Martinius Stenshorne, driving for Hitech TGR. Stenshorne, who had originally finished second, inherited his first win of the 2025 season.
Germany’s Tim Tramnitz of MP Motorsport was promoted to second, while Mari Boya of Spain, also racing for Campos Racing, completed the revised podium.
Championship leader Rafael Camara of Brazil, who had originally finished sixth, was elevated to fifth place, earning 10 points. Camara’s consistent form helped him extend his lead in the championship standings, now holding 125 points.
Tsolov, with his Austrian result nullified, remains at 114 points and drops to third overall, overtaken by Tramnitz, who moves into second place with 118 points — just seven behind the Brazilian.
The ruling is a significant blow to Tsolov’s title aspirations. His performance on track had been dominant, completing the 26-lap race in 36 minutes and 40.308 seconds before the disqualification.
It was poised to be his third win of the season and a critical result in his chase for the championship. The F3 paddock now turns its attention to Silverstone, where the British Grand Prix will host the seventh round of the season from July 4 to 6.
With four races left in the campaign, the battle for the championship remains wide open — but for Tsolov, the road to the top has become steeper.
The incident underscores the strict nature of Formula 3’s technical compliance protocols, reminding teams and drivers alike that even minor infractions can carry major consequences in the tightly contested series.