The Briton, who at the moment competes in Formulation E, has agreed a Macau return with Rodin Carlin for this weekend’s blue-ribband F3 Grand Prix across the well-known Guia circuit.
Following his successes in 2017 and 2018, Ticktum has the chance to turn into the primary driver in Macau historical past to take three wins within the F3 occasion.
However he says that the prospect of a record-breaking feat is definitely solely a secondary motivation for him agreeing to return to F3 – and it’s the fun of racing in Macau that was really an even bigger spur.
Requested by Autosport concerning the motivations for a Macau comeback, Ticktum mentioned: “Go and win 3 times clearly is what everyone seems to be saying, however that is extra of a secondary aim actually. It is simply essentially the most thrilling race {that a} driver can ever do of their life.
“I’ve spoken to a few the drivers who’re right here now, clearly, on that ladder to F1, they usually requested me: ‘What do you assume?’ I say to them: ‘You do not realise how good this place is. So do not take it without any consideration.’
“Plus, Trevor [Carlin] requested me to do it. And I do know that his F3 crew has been struggling for a little bit bit. I’ve at all times clearly obtained on very nicely with the blokes at Carlin, and I need to attempt to put the automobile the place they imagine it needs to be.”
Ticktum is coming off the again of a reasonably encouraging season in FE with perennial backmarkers NIO 333, the place he made a powerful impression and has been retained because the outfit rebrands to ERT.
Photograph by: Alexander Trienitz
Dan Ticktum, Motopark Academy
However with him being open concerning the difficulties confronted throughout the latest marketing campaign, he mentioned there’s a very totally different feeling in how he’s approaching the forthcoming weekend.
“I’ve achieved fairly nicely, contemplating what we have got,” he mentioned, reflecting on the FE season simply gone.
“It has been very robust, and I can not say an excessive amount of about trustworthy emotions, however clearly it is simply not the very best automobile on this planet to drive.
“A few of the tracks and the occasions are unbelievable however I can not bear in mind the final time I used to be wanting ahead to a race this a lot.”
Ticktum’s profession path is on a unique trajectory to the final time when he raced at Macau again in 2019.
Again then, sights had been set on F1 and he duly went on to realize wins in F2, and end fourth within the championship in 2021, earlier than alternatives dried up and he switched to FE.
Whereas a Macau victory can be unlikely to resurrect his F1 ambitions, he thinks it could act as a helpful reminder to a lot of his final potential.
Photograph by: James Gasperotti / Motorsport Images
Dan Ticktum, Motopark Academy
“I do not assume successful might be dangerous for my profession, however I do not assume it should assist massively when it comes to discovering a greater drive for F2, as a result of that is not the place I am heading anymore,” he mentioned.
“I simply assume it is one other probability for me to show that I am so much higher than some folks assume I’m, and that perhaps I ought to have been in F1 or no matter.
“However I do not take into consideration that an excessive amount of today. It is simply that I needed to do it. I needed to do it for Trevor, to assist his crew, and it is a unbelievable alternative to truly do a race that I get pleasure from.”
Ticktum is aware of he faces an enormous problem to rise up to hurry this weekend, as he hasn’t raced in F3 since he final competed on the Macau Grand Prix in 2019.
However he feels that the chance to tackle Macau once more couldn’t be turned down, as he dismissed any discuss of it being a step down for him.
“Clearly, I’m previous F3, and everybody was saying, why is he happening? Nevertheless it’s not a case of happening.
“F3 continues to be probably the greatest race vehicles on this planet, and it’s going round the very best race observe on this planet. So, it isn’t the suitable method to take a look at it. It is only a unbelievable occasion. I really feel very fortunate.
“I do know I’ve not been within the automobile for a very long time, and haven’t had a lot time to organize, however Macau is its personal factor in a method. It’s not one thing you possibly can actually put together for.
“I do not really feel like I am at a lot of a drawback in comparison with different drivers. I’ll see the way it goes, however I do not assume I will be sluggish.
“I actually do not know. I am going to simply tick each field alongside the best way and hopefully, the bundle might be ok. I am positive it will likely be.”