Red Bull junior is still paying off ‘debts’ to Fernando Alonso after signing ‘ruthless’ contract

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Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov has been left with a mountain of “debts” to Fernando Alonso following his split from the Aston Martin star’s A14 Management agency, according to F1 journalist Ralf Bach.

After spending the majority of his junior career in single-seaters under the wing of the two-time world champion, Nikola Tsolov reportedly cut ties with Fernando Alonso’s agency after swapping Alpine’s Academy for Red Bull’s Junior Team in 2025.

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Alonso launched A14 management in 2022, after returning to the F1 grid with Alpine the year prior. Tsolov was one of the first young drivers to be signed to the agency, alongside Clement Novalak, who has since made a name for himself in the European Le Mans Series.

The Spaniard was a massive part of the current Formula 2 driver’s journey through the lower categories, and Tsolov still holds one piece of Alonso’s advice close to him as he continues to excel on the way to the pinnacle of single-seater motor racing.

However, according to renowned F1 journalist Ralf Bach, Tsolov signed a “ruthless” contract with Alonso’s agency that has now left the young Bulgarian with a mountain of debts that he is still paying back.

F1 Oversteer has contacted Alonso’s A14 Management for comment, but have not received a reply as of the time of publication.

• READ MORE: Who is Nikola Tsolov? Everything to know about the Red Bull junior linked with Racing Bulls F1 seat

Fernando Alonso’s A14 Management agency had a ‘ruthless, piggish’ deal with Nikola Tsolov

Tsolov’s future in single-seaters was being discussed in a Hungarian Grand Prix preview episode of the F1-Insider podcast before Bach revealed the information regarding the 19-year-old’s former deal with Alonso’s A14 Management.

Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane has hailed Tsolov as “next in line” for a seat at Red Bull’s sister team, with the Bulgarian currently leading the Formula 2 standings by 27 points after eight race weekends in the category.

“Helmut Marko practically bought him off Alonso back then,” Bach said of Tsolov’s move to the Red Bull Junior Team for 2025. “Fernando Alonso was Tsolov’s manager, and from what I’ve heard, he had such a ruthless, piggish contract with the lad that he’s still in debt.

Bach also alleges that Alonso’s agency “made millions” off the 19-year-old, adding, “Red Bull stepped in, and they’ve taken him on now and are helping him wherever they can, but Tsolov still has to pay off his debts because of that draconian contract with Alonso.

“He made millions off him, so Tsolov doesn’t have that much money to spend at the moment. Without Red Bull, he’d be almost bankrupt.”

Of course, one would be forgiven if their performances slipped as a result of the goings-on behind the scenes, but F1 remains on the horizon for Tsolov. On top of that, F1 pundit David Coulthard is a staunch advocate for Tsolov’s talents.

• READ MORE: Racing Bulls boss issues ‘honest’ verdict on claims Liam Lawson is at risk to Nikola Tsolov

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him that it all works out because racing under those circumstances, practically with existential fears in the background, isn’t that easy at all,” Bach continued.

“Of course, you’re in luck if you’ve got Red Bull behind you to help you out of that situation. That’s not how we know Alonso, but that’s apparently how it is,” he concluded.