Ahead of the Formula E 2026 Monaco E-Prix weekend, Pit Debrief had the pleasure of speaking with Dan Ticktum for an exclusive interview.
Ticktum is an intriguing character, more outspoken and passionate than some are used to seeing in racing drivers. With his talent, determination, and character, the Brit brings more than just good racing to Formula E.
The choice to go to Formula E
The British driver competed in European karting from a young age before stepping up to Formula 3. After finishing as a runner-up in F3, two seasons in Formula 2 followed. His rookie season included a victory on home soil around Silverstone. In 2021, Ticktum concluded the F2 season fourth in the Standings with three wins. The 2021/2022 season was when the Brit made the switch to Formula E.
When asked about how the idea of Formula E seemed like the correct decision, given his background in European karting, Formula 3 and 2, Ticktum reflected:
“It’s quite a long answer, but mainly because after the whole F1 debacle and that not quite working out, I had like two possible routes. IndyCar was an option, and Formula E. I didn’t want to move to America and I just thought to be honest there might be a bit of a risk joining FE, but I saw the opportunity for growth. I thought if I could be part of the championship, one of the main drivers in it, then it could be quite a, monetarily speaking, quite a good place to be. Also I found the championship exciting as well.”
Exposing weaknesses and strengths in Formula E
The Monaco E-Prix weekend was a roller coaster for Dan Ticktum. The CUPRA KIRO driver had two amazing Qualifying sessions, taking a historic back-to-back pole. While most of Race 1 was a smooth run for Ticktum, an incident with da Costa towards the end resulted in a 33-second penalty, dropping him to P12. Race 2 was again difficult, as a five-second penalty and a slow pit stop led the driver to stumble down the order. Despite putting in a good drive, luck was not on his side.
Asked if he believed Formula E could expose the weaknesses and strengths of drivers more often than other championships, especially given that the gaps are so narrow, the CUPRA driver explained:
“Yeah, in Qualifying, yes, because all the cars are spec. I mean, some are better than others obviously, like any category, but in Qualifying it’s all very close. The races are a lot dictated sort of by strategy in the team. So not the races if I’m honest. The races at the moment at least, it’s too much about luck, but that will change in GEN4. So it will be more about the driver. There is a big element of the driver, being able to react very quickly and adapt themselves. It’s not just the team, so yeah, there’s some particular nuances to it, but it’s certainly difficult in qualifying, very competitive.”
Ticktum: “I was very unhappy”
While Ticktum was on route to Formula 1, the rules and regulations changed, and the driver was among those who suffered the hit. Near the end of 2018, Ticktum had accumulated 35 Super License points. As 40 points from only the three previous seasons were needed to compete in F1, he was certain to achieve the necessary points. Ticktum was on the verge of a seat with Toro Rosso in 2019, or again in 2020, when they rebranded as AlphaTauri.
As a Red Bull Junior at the time, he competed in the Asian Formula 3 Winter Series, as the FIA deemed it sufficient for Super License points to be awarded. However, the FIA decided that points would not be awarded for AWS because it no longer met its criteria. The new criteria said that to be eligible, a series must consist of at least five race weekends or be held at three different tracks. As AWS consists of three race weekends held on two different tracks, it was no longer eligible for points.
When asked about an area of growth as a driver in the last couple of years, Ticktum mentioned the F1 disappointment.
“Not a huge amount really to be honest. I don’t feel like I’ve changed that much, I mean, I might be slightly less explosive on the radios and just in general, but I wasn’t very happy for the first few years. I haven’t really been happy in racing for a while. Certainly a bit better now, but I’ll always feel like I was mistreated a bit by the sport. The problem is, most people don’t know what the F1 story is, and it’s a 20 minute conversation. So, all to do with the super license and not having the right amount of points, then the rules changed and I was just very unhappy really. Everyone just seems to think it was my attitude and it wasn’t. So, the first few years, I was just very unhappy really, but much better now.”
GEN4 motivation and and hungry for wins
Asked if Formula E could give him something the other categories could not, the Formula E driver reflected on his career, saying:
“I don’t think so. I think whatever you’re in, obviously this is a world championship, whether you win this or F1, F1 is obviously still the crown jewel or whatever you want to call it, but certainly in the first couple of years when I was in a not a very good car as well, that was tough. Now, like I haven’t been treated as best or as like I hoped but I just, I don’t know.
“This is a difficult conversation, always difficult, difficult thing to talk about, but I don’t know, looking to GEN4, I feel like I’m a lot more motivated again to be honest. So yeah, I always want to win. I don’t turn up to a track and never not want to win, but the past couple of years, I sort of haven’t been that bothered if I do or don’t, it’s just like a job. I have to say, recently, I’ve really sort of…with GEN4 and everything, I want to win.”
Expanding on the answer about the GEN4 motivation, he continued:
“I just think it’s something new. It’s exciting for the drivers. If I knew I wasn’t good enough to win or whatever, I’d accept that, but I mean we’ll see where I end up. I just want to be in a team or a car where I can win. I just want to win a championship.”
Ticktum’s image and speaking his mind
Ticktum has often been written off as irrational and emotional, which prevents some from seeing the driver beneath the surface. However, sometimes it should be refreshing to have a racing driver who truly shows his passion and is not afraid to speak his mind. With so many drivers forced to project a perfect image of what others want them to be, the Brit brings a different aspect to the game.
When asked if winning a Championship is what he wants to build on and develop going forward, he said:
“Absolutely. I think people, big teams, and big manufacturers are a bit sceptical about how I would be to represent the brand. The thing is here, I have free reign, can do what I want pretty much. If I’ve got a contract with Porsche or Jaguar at the top of it and they tell me to be a certain way, I’m not a dickhead, I’m not stupid. So I will behave in that way or whatever way they want me to. That’s it really. That’s not to say that this team next year or the Porsche powertrain won’t be a very good team to be in because I’ve enjoyed it a lot.”
Evolution of Formula E
Formula E is a Championship that has evolved with each generation. The all-electric series is constantly improving and trying to be more competitive. With GEN4 coming in next season, it will once again be faster and better. Asked if there is anything particular he had to change a lot about his driving style from one generation to the next, he explained:
“Not a huge amount from GEN2 to GEN3. They weren’t night and day different. We didn’t have rear brakes and don’t have rear brakes in this car. So that’s a bit different just like the systems and the interaction in general. I think GEN4, I don’t think it’ll be like, I mean it will be completely different to drive. It’s just going to have a fair bit of downforce and a load of power and obviously four-wheel drive. I’m sure there’ll be some differences but in terms of adapting to it, I don’t think it will take us too long.”
Next, Pit Debrief asked him what the biggest evolution has been since he entered in the 2021/2022 season.
“I’ve only really been in the GEN3 area, not a huge amount has change. We’ve got the pit boost and the four-wheel drive and stuff like that. To be honest, Jeff [Dodds], the CEO, like how the championship is run, what his visions are for the championship, how motivated he is. I think that’s been the biggest change. Hopefully, we’ll see that. Well, I think we will see that in GEN4. That’s been a lot down to him and his team and on the surface at least it looks like they’ve done a very good job. It’s cool.”
Ticktum is unfiltered and fast
It is certain that Ticktum’s career has been a roller coaster. With plenty of ups and downs, one never knows what is next for the Brit. Speaking about what he believes is something that his younger self would be proud of that he has achieved as a racing driver, the Formula E driver said:
“Getting into position to do a couple of test days for Red Bull in F1. As a young boy, you don’t ever think you’re going to get that far. You reach for the stars, but you know. The Macau wins, it’s a boring answer but they were very special.”
The British driver participated in the 2019 Bahrain Test for Red Bull as a junior driver for the team. He completed 135 laps in the RB15 as a 19-year-old. Before that he had participated in test day with older machinery. Then there were Ticktum’s two victories at the Macau GP, which were immensely impressive. The victories are something he will cherish forever.
Lastly, when asked what he wants people to remember about him, Ticktum simply said:
“I just want people to remember me being unfiltered and being me. Being fast. Which I think they will. We’ll see.”
