Ticktum Questions ‘Interesting’ Schumacher Tactics

Dan Ticktum has said that he finds the sudden rise of Mick Schumacher in F3 “interesting” after he stormed to the top of the standings.

Schumacher narrowed the gap to Ticktum considerably after claiming a hat-trick of victories at the Nurburgring in Round 8 and has now leapfrogged the Red Bull junior driver with a further two wins and a second place at the Red Bull Ring over the weekend.

As a result, the son of legendary seven-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher, has opened up a 49-point lead with just one round remaining at the Hockenheimring.

Ticktum had long been in control of the F3 championship, and took to Instagram after the race to raise doubts over Schumacher’s massive improvement in form.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoFBMqChaO8/?utm_source=ig_embed

Ticktum is a firm contender to drive for Toro Rosso next season, but even if he was able to re-take the World Championship in the final race it would still leave him 10 points short of obtaining the necessary superlicense to race in Formula 1.

Latest reports have said Toro Rosso would be willing to wait until winter testing to announce their full 2019 line-up, which would give Ticktum the chance to get to the magic 40 mark by competing in other formats such as the F3 Asian Winter Series in January and February.

Schumacher’s recent rise, though, has put him firmly on Formula 1’s radar, although Toro Rosso themselves say they have had no contact with him.

Ferrari have said the “door is always open” for Schumacher, but team principal Maurizio Arrivabene stated his desire for him not to be rushed into Formula 1 and continue his development with Prema through the junior ranks.

For one thing, it will be every fan’s dream to see the Schumacher name return to Formula One. So, the question is, when will he jump in an F1 car and which team? Meanwhile, Ticktum is also gunning for an F1 seat. The Toro Rosso team have said that they are willing to wait for Ticktum’s license to come through before making a decision.

According to the rumours, both drivers are being targeted for the same seat. In the F3 championship, Schuamcher has amassed a 49 point lead over Ticktum.