Ticktum aiming to top up 'annoying' super license points

Dan Ticktum is aiming to bring his super license tally up to 40 throughout the winter to boost his driving opportunities in 2019. The Red Bull junior driver currently has 32 points, with 40 needed in order to make a move to Formula 1.

Ticktum lost out in the 2018 Formula E European Championship to Mick Schumacher. The Briton could race in some lower level series' throughout the winter break in order to get the appropriate amount needed.

“It has been a bit annoying,” he told Autosport. "I have enough to test and do everything – the only thing I don’t have enough to do now is race. So I have enough to do FP1s and all the rest of it, but I need to try to get myself 40 by the beginning of next season because you never know what will happen."

Speaking about the categories that he could enter in the coming months, he said: “There are many opportunities I can use: MRF Challenge and the Toyota Racing Series. If there’s a way, I’ll do it.”

Ticktum is unlikely to be confirmed as Daniil Kvyat's Toro Rosso teammate in 2019, with that seat looking likely to go to either Alex Albon or Brendon Hartley. As for his 2019 plans, he says that Super Formula deal (where soon to be Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly spent his time in 2017) is "very, very likely".

“F2 is all budget dependent, and it is a struggle for Red Bull and my dad," he added. "That is unfortunately how mammoth the cost of F2 is at the moment. If we can find a relatively reasonable deal with a good team we will try and put something together, but at the moment it is looking unlikely.

“But you never know what happens, it all changes from one day to the next in motorsport. If I have a very good year next year I think I have a very good shot at Toro Rosso the year after. So I just need to make sure I do everything right next year and iron out a few little creases that are left and I should be good.”