Ticktum: 'Absurd' that Motopark isn't in 2019 FIA F3 championship

Despite its recent success in the F3 European Championship and at Macau, Motopark was not one of the 10 teams picked for the new championship.

With Motopark bowing out of F3 with a 1-2 finish in the Macau GP, Ticktum has hit out the decision not to give Timo Rumpfkeil's squad a place on the grid in 2019.

"The fact that Timo is not in F3 next year is pretty shocking in my opinion," said Ticktum after his victory on Sunday.

"I think it is shocking and hugely, hugely upsetting to see in this sport, how a team as successful as his - for whatever reason away from the track, which I won't go into detail - is not allowed to come back and race in F3.

"This is absurd. It is absurd."

He added: "It is pretty disgusting, in my opinion, but I think a lot of people are scratching their heads and are very confused as to why this is.

"The last thing we want for our sport, a sport which I love probably more than anyone, is people to start thinking it is a possibly a bit more political than we once thought.

"In the lower formulas you can argue there are more politics, and some people argue there are more in F1, but it is the way of life unfortunately.

"It is just a shame that has happened catastrophically down here in F3 in my opinion."

Rumpfkeil told Autosport recently that he was confused as to why Motopark had been snubbed for an F3 entry.

"I would say that after Prema [Powerteam] we would be the second team in F3, and I don't know on what basis the others got their entry over us - I've had no reasons given," he said.

"It's difficult to follow - in fact it's not understandable."

Motopark is switching to Super Formula next year after failing to land a place in F3.