Bulgaria’s Week in Good News: An F1 First, World Gold and a Clean Bill | Добрите новини на седмицата
What a week to be Bulgarian. A 19-year-old from Sofia drove a Formula 1 car in an official session, a wrestler ended a 13-year wait for world gold, and the country closed a chapter that had been hurting its businesses since 2023. Here is Bulgaria’s good news from 25 to 31 October, checked and in one place.
1. Nikola Tsolov becomes the first Bulgarian in an official F1 session
On Friday 30 October, Nikola Tsolov took the wheel of the Racing Bulls VCARB 03 in the first free practice session of the Mexico City Grand Prix, replacing Liam Lawson for the session. No Bulgarian had ever driven in an official Formula 1 session before.
He finished 12th with a best lap of 1:19.604 on soft tyres and completed 28 laps, even after a short stop for a cramp in his right leg. He ended just 0.126 seconds behind his teammate Arvid Lindblad. Not bad for a first day at the office. We told you this was coming in our Tsolov preview. (Sources: BTA, Novinite)
2. Semen Novikov is world champion
At the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Semen Novikov won the Greco-Roman 87 kg final 4–0 against Iran’s Alireza Mohmadipiani. It is Bulgaria’s first world wrestling title since Ivo Angelov in 2013. Thirteen years of waiting, finished in one clean match. (Source: Novinite)
3. Bulgaria is off the FATF grey list
On 30 October, at its plenary in Paris, the Financial Action Task Force removed Bulgaria from its list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring for money laundering risks. Bulgaria had been on the list since October 2023. In June, the FATF found that the country had substantially completed its action plan, and a final on-site visit confirmed the reforms.
Why it matters for everyday life: being on the grey list makes international payments and banking checks slower and more expensive. Leaving it is good news for Bulgarian businesses, investors and anyone sending money in or out of the country. (Source: BTA)
4. Live road information for the whole country
Planning a winter drive to Bansko or Pamporovo just got easier. On 29 October the Road Infrastructure Agency launched a free web platform at traffic.api.bg. It shows the national road network with:
- updates every 15 minutes on roadworks, congestion, restrictions and weather
- colour-coded traffic intensity and average speeds on key sections
- detour routes when a road or mountain pass closes
- open data that media and apps can use free of charge
(Source: BTA)
5. And today: National Awakeners Day
The week ends on a holiday. Today, 1 November, Bulgaria honours the writers, teachers and enlighteners who kept the language and culture alive. Read why Bulgaria celebrates 1 November, and if you missed it, our kukeri story from Halloween.
Bulgaria good news: quick answers
Who is the first Bulgarian in Formula 1? Nikola Tsolov, 19, who drove for Racing Bulls in practice at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix.
When was Bulgaria’s last world wrestling title before 2026? 2013, won by Ivo Angelov. Semen Novikov is the next.
Is Bulgaria still on the FATF grey list? No. It was removed on 30 October 2026.
Want more? See the best of 2026 so far.
Честит Ден на народните будители и хубава нова седмица!
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