Horner: Ticktum 'sometimes uses his mouth before his brain'

Still in the running for the title of Formula 3 European 2018, Dan Ticktum made contentious comments last weekend by wondering about the performances of his rival Mick Schumacher, winner of five victories in the last six races and current leader of the standings with a 49-point lead after a sluggish first half of the season. 

By venting on social networks, Ticktum exposed himself to quite a backlash, with Internet users accusing him of being a sore loser. The protected Red Bull then deleted the controversial post from his Instagram account, not without aggravating the situation by responding that he could not win the case in any case “ because my last name is not Schumacher ».

At only 19 years old, Ticktum already has a sulphurous reputation since in 2015 he received a two-year suspension from motorsport for having deliberately speared a competitor under the Safety Car regime in Formula MSA in the United Kingdom. . 

It is also because of this fault and the blank seasons which followed that Ticktum cannot yet claim a Super License F1 even in the event of victory in F3 Europe this season. Her name has nevertheless been circulated as a possible candidate for a seat at Toro Rosso to replace Pierre Gasly ou Brendon Hartley. 

« He's a colorful character., confided Christian Horner to Sky Sports on the sidelines of the Russian Grand Prix. He sometimes uses his mouth before his brain. He is a talented driver but he still needs to perfect his development before approaching Formula 1. He is fast, he is a rough diamond that needs to be polished ». 

In the event of an F3 title, Mick Schumacher would have the 40 points synonymous with the precious ticket to the Super License. Well supervised by Sabine Kehm, the historic press secretary of his father Michael, it is however difficult to imagine Schumi Jr joining a Red Bull universe that is particularly intractable with its young shoots.