Daniel Ticktum: “Am I too politically incorrect for this sport? Yes"

There was no real anger in Daniel Ticktum's way at the press conference this Saturday, just disappointment. Not to mention resignation. Fourth of Formula 2 for his second season in the championship, the Briton will not ride in Formula 1 This year. The tubs are all taken with the exception of the one available at Alfa Romeo, but he's not in the running to get it. If he was one of the development pilots of Williams in the last two seasons, he lost his place for having, among other things, openly criticized Nicholas latifi, calling him a “paying pilot”, to name just that. Although he argues that the decision not to continue his collaboration with Williams had been taken before, it is still hard to believe it. 

Still, Ticktum, who is undoubtedly a gifted driver, will not go to Formula 1 next season. And probably never, according to his words. “For the last few weeks, I've been coming to terms with the fact that I won't achieve my goal, which is to drive in Formula 1. I don't want to sound depressing, but it is. In 2018, the superlicense was refused to me for a few points. Since the beginning of my career, I have done stupid things, and here I am today. It’s a very difficult time,” he analyzed with his head buried in his socks. 

The Briton doesn't seem quite ready to think about the future yet, or at least not until he has truly accepted that his lifelong dream will not come true. “If I don’t go to F1, what else am I going to do? Without being arrogant, I think I have a lot more to offer behind the wheel than the options available to me require. he said at a press conference. While confirming that he himself did not yet know what he would do next year, Ticktum mentioned, without any enthusiasm, theIndyCar, Formula E, DTM, and why not a new year in Formula 2 as a possible destination for 2022. 

Dan Ticktum did the job on the track by winning the sprint race. © Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

Asked about the reasons which prevented him from joining F1 since the start of his career in the junior categories, he explained: “Am I a fast enough driver to go to F1? Yes. Do I have the shoulders and the mentality to succeed? Yes. Am I too politically incorrect for this sport? Yes too. In any case, we are in the past. Except that obviously, in F1, it's about representing world-renowned companies, and you're expected to be a robot when it comes to emotions. And when you have character, or even just an opinion, it's complicated. Just telling the truth often gets you into trouble. Formula 2 drivers would like to be themselves more, and I'm sure the fans would like that too, but it's just impossible. I have often been, and I should have learned earlier that it was not necessary, and above all to change when it was necessary., he admitted sincerely.

Dan Ticktum, soon to be presenter of Top Gear?

A freedom of speech and an honesty that we are not accustomed to in these junior categories, it must be recognized. But perhaps in the long term, once the helmet has been put away on the shelf for good, his personality could open the doors of the media to him, perhaps becoming a consultant. “I think a lot of people would like me to become a commentator or consultant, he admitted with a smile on his lips. We'll see what opportunities there are for me soon, but I don't think it's possible in the near future, because I already have to accept everything that happens to me at the moment. Afterwards, I would really like being a commentator, and why not even presenter of a Top Gear type show, because I love production cars too”. 

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We are obviously not there yet. But if Daniel Ticktum doesn't really fit the typical robot portrait of the modern Formula 1 driver, he still has other equally attractive options, even if he doesn't yet seem ready to perceive things that way. Starting with Formula 2 this year, because after the sprint race, the vice-champion of F3 Europe in 2018 is only fifteen points behind Guanyu-Zhou, 2nd in the championship, and thirty out of Oscar piastri, the leader. A cannonball end to the season could give him a title chance. This would certainly not open the doors to F1 for him, but it could in any case allow him to have even better options at the end of the season.