Although Daniel Ticktum has not yet scored a single point in Formula E, he soon sees himself in the top three – He believes he is one of the most talented drivers
I don’t like to rate myself because unfortunately that is quickly taken as arrogant,” Formula E rookie Daniel Ticktum tells ‘Motion E’. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old lets himself be carried away with a self-assessment: “After a year with experience and my talent, I see myself among the three best drivers in the field!”
The Briton has contested three races in the electric world championship so far, and the results in the NIO bolide are manageable: 18th and 19th places in Saudi Arabia and 18th in Mexico. That’s why Ticktum is in 21st place in the overall standings after three World Championship rounds – only Antonio Giovinazzi has recorded worse results.
Nevertheless, Ticktum believes he will be one of the most talented drivers in the Formula E field once he has completed his rookie season and thus gained important experience in the series. At the start of the 2022 season, he first had to get to grips with the tough pace of Formula E, as contacts and crowbar overtaking manoeuvres are part of the daily routine on the tight street circuits.
Ticktum with a bully past
However, Ticktum himself is no child of sadness: In 2015, he was banned for two years for overtaking ten competitors during a safety car phase of a formula race, only to crash into Ricky Collard’s car – on purpose. He has also been part of Red Bull and Williams’ Formula One junior programmes in the past, but was shown the door by both teams.
Before his Formula E entry, Ticktum raced two full seasons in Formula 2, drawing attention in 2021 with a fourth-place finish and two race wins. With the door to Formula 1 seemingly closed for the 22-year-old, he is now trying his hand in the Formula E World Championship with NIO, a team that has mostly been in the back of the grid for the past three years.
“It’s one of the strongest fields out there, but I don’t think there’s anyone more talented than me in Formula E,” the youngster stresses once again. “Potentially faster? I don’t think there is anyone, to be honest. “
Oliver Turvey vs Dan Ticktum
Currently unable to attack at the front of the field with the racing team, Ticktum has set himself a simple but clear goal for his rookie season: he wants to outdo his teammate Oliver Turvey, who has also yet to collect any points but has recorded the best individual result for NIO so far with 14th place in Mexico. He also wants to help the team move up the rankings step by step.
“My job is to beat my teammate and prove myself in the paddock. In some races we will be at the back, so the only way I can prove my skills is by beating Oliver,” the Briton clarifies. So far, Turvey is two to one in the team-internal duel between the two NIO drivers. Ticktum will be back in the hunt for points in Rome, Italy. Rounds four and five will take place on 9 and 10 April.
