Euro F3 Zandvoort: Dan Ticktum boosted by rivals' 'pathetic mind games'

Red Bull Formula 1 junior Dan Ticktum has hit back at comments from his Formula 3 European Championship rivals during the Zandvoort round

Ticktum was criticised by Prema Powerteam racers Marcus Armstrong and Ralf Aron after the second race of the weekend having been caught up in incidents with the pair before he finished sixth after qualifying on pole.

Armstrong said Ticktum had not learned from their Hungaroring contact and Aron spoke of how pressuring Ticktum is key to making a move on him.

"I read their comments and I took pleasure in it," said Ticktum.

"The only way they think they can win is by playing pathetic little mind games, and I actually laughed.

"They're too busy focusing on me, which is good - we're focused on our job and we'll beat them."

Some within the Prema awning accused Ticktum of deliberately going off at the chicane in second qualifying after setting his double pole in order to bring gravel onto the track.

"That's rubbish," he retorted. "I didn't go off - that was Juri [Vips, his team-mate]."

Ticktum also lost a probable victory in the third race of the weekend to a jumped-start penalty, which the Motopark driver accepted was fair.

He rejoined last and, on a circuit where it is extremely difficult to pass, he retired one lap later to preserve his car and engine mileage.

With title rivals Armstrong and Aron also outside the points, Ticktum described the result as "damage limitation".

The outcome means that although he sits fourth in the standings, he is just 13 points from leader Armstrong, 12 adrift of Guan Yu Zhou and 8.5 behind Aron.

shares
comments

Euro F3 Zandvoort: Nikita Troitskiy triumphs as Dan Ticktum penalised

GP3 rivals need to falter for me to have title chance - Jake Hughes

Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022

Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022

Plus
Plus
FIA F2
Megan White

Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022 Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022

What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series

What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series

Plus
Plus
FIA F2
Megan White

What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series

Why the Formula 3 benchmark's 2022 season hinges on qualifying

Why the Formula 3 benchmark's 2022 season hinges on qualifying

Plus
Plus
FIA F3
Megan White

Why the Formula 3 benchmark's 2022 season hinges on qualifying Why the Formula 3 benchmark's 2022 season hinges on qualifying

How the ultra-tight F3 title fight is taking shape

How the ultra-tight F3 title fight is taking shape

Plus
Plus
FIA F3
Megan White

How the ultra-tight F3 title fight is taking shape How the ultra-tight F3 title fight is taking shape

The F3 newcomer making good on his unusual career path

The F3 newcomer making good on his unusual career path

Plus
Plus
FIA F3
Bahrain
Megan White

The F3 newcomer making good on his unusual career path The F3 newcomer making good on his unusual career path

The British trio hunting for F3 title glory

The British trio hunting for F3 title glory

Plus
Plus
FIA F3
Bahrain
Megan White

The British trio hunting for F3 title glory The British trio hunting for F3 title glory

How an outsider demolished a rank of F1 juniors

How an outsider demolished a rank of F1 juniors

Plus
Plus
Formula Regional European Championship
Haydn Cobb

How an outsider demolished a rank of F1 juniors How an outsider demolished a rank of F1 juniors

Ranking the top 10 F2 and F3 drivers of 2021

Ranking the top 10 F2 and F3 drivers of 2021

Plus
Plus
FIA F2
Megan White

Ranking the top 10 F2 and F3 drivers of 2021 Ranking the top 10 F2 and F3 drivers of 2021

Subscribe