Horner: Ticktum has more learning to do before F1

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says that Dan Ticktum has plenty of development to do before he makes it to Formula 1. The Briton is the next in line within the Red Bull junior programme for a Toro Rosso seat.

However, he lacks the required super license and is unlikely to gather them before the start of the 2019 season. Ticktum was involved in a social media controversy recently, when he questioned fellow Formula 3 driver Mick Schumacher's recent success.

Horner admitted that the 20-year-old is a "character", stating that he sometimes spits words without thinking over what he's about to say: “He is a character,” Horner told Sky Sports. “He sometimes engages mouth before brain. He is a talented driver, but he got more development to do before he is anywhere near Formula 1 level. He is fast, but he needs to polish off a few rough edges.”

Ticktum recently lost his lead in the standings to Schumacher, who has dominated the recent rounds of the championship. Horner offered his praise to the German, who is one round away from clinching the title.

“In Formula 3, Mick Schumacher has been doing a great job and Prema have been particularly dominant in the second half of the season. They have obviously got it together and he is the man to beat. It very much looks like he is favourite to win that championship now.”