Breaking news
Super Formula Autopolis
Ticktum endures "weekend to forget" in Autopolis
Red Bull Formula 1 junior Dan Ticktum has described his Super Formula outing in Autopolis as a “weekend to forget” after an unforced error caused him to retire early from the race.
Rachit Thukral Tomohiro Yoshita
Edited: May 21, 2019, 9:42 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
On the third lap of 54, Ticktum locked up on the entry to Turn 3 and ran straight across a wet patch of grass, which pitched him into a half-spin and led to his retirement.
The result marked Ticktum’s first DNF in Super Formula since his maiden outing at Sugo last year, where he was forced to retire the car after incurring suspension damage from contact with Real Racing’s Koudai Tsukakoshi.
Describing his race-ending incident, Ticktum told Motorsport.com: “Just made a small mistake on entry. I was not trying to push too much, just made a small mistake.
“Then when joining I hit the kerb, spin the car, I pulled the clutch, was okay, went to spin around but another car was coming so I had to stop.
“If I kept going, it would have forced a crash. And then the car stalled, and finished.”
Dan Ticktum, Mugen
Photo by: Masahide Kamio
Heavy showers led to qualifying being moved to Sunday morning, with the three-part, Formula 1-style knockout format replaced by a single 40-minute session.
However, more rain fell on track during the rescheduled qualifying, leading to a chaotic session punctuated by three red flags.
That meant 2016 champion Yuji Kunimoto took a surprise pole for Kondo Racing, while nine drivers failed to set a time within 107% rule - although all of them were given permission to race.
Ticktum was one of the several drivers unable to knit together a clean lap as he qualified 14th, and was particularly vocal about the format used, labelling it as “bit of a nonsense”.
“From the numbers and my feedback after Suzuka they improved the car a lot and we saw that on Friday when we were quickest in FP1," Ticktum told the Red Bull junior site.
"After that it became a weekend to forget unfortunately. The weather really messed things up.
“Qualifying on Saturday was cancelled because of the weather and we had a qualifying session in the morning where there were so many red flags that only 12 [11] drivers got inside 107% because eight [nine] of us only got a single run.
“I would go out, have two fastest sectors then have to abort because of a red or yellow flag. That kept happening."
"It was the same for everyone of course but it's a great shame that they didn't extend the session so that everyone could have a decent couple of laps.
“It made it a bit of a nonsense really. Of course we were all allowed to start but I was back in the grid."
- All Super Formula races are streamed live and for free on Motorsport.tv.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Autopolis Super Formula: Sekiguchi charges from 16th to win
Next article Super Formula drivers call for changes after "comedy" qualifying
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Rachit Thukral
Raul Fernandez still compromised after Indonesia finger injury: “I’m not at 100%”
MotoGP
MotoGP
Australian GP
8 h
Raul Fernandez still compromised after Indonesia finger injury: “I’m not at 100%”
Dan Ticktum secures Formula E Gen4 berth with newly-acquired Fortescue Zero team
Formula E
Formula E 11 h
Dan Ticktum secures Formula E Gen4 berth with newly-acquired Fortescue Zero team
More from
Dan Ticktum
“I wish people would get to know me first” - Dan Ticktum still without Gen4 Formula E seat
Formula E
Formula E
Berlin ePrix II
“I wish people would get to know me first” - Dan Ticktum still without Gen4 Formula E seat
Dan Ticktum, Pepe Marti settle “over the line” clash; Marti apologises for radio slur
Formula E
Formula E
Jeddah ePrix II
Dan Ticktum, Pepe Marti settle “over the line” clash; Marti apologises for radio slur
Dan Ticktum calls for F1 to move away from electrification as 2026 cars divide drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain Pre-Season 1
Dan Ticktum calls for F1 to move away from electrification as 2026 cars divide drivers
More from
Mugen
Red Bull's partnership with Mugen in Super Formula set to end after 2024
Super Formula
Super Formula
Motegi
Red Bull's partnership with Mugen in Super Formula set to end after 2024
Iwasa urges Mugen 'to get its act together' after Fuji Super Formula race
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji
Iwasa urges Mugen 'to get its act together' after Fuji Super Formula race
Red Bull junior Iwasa initially saw Super Formula as 'negative' move
Super Formula
Super Formula
Red Bull junior Iwasa initially saw Super Formula as 'negative' move
Latest news
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
3 min
How to watch NASCAR at Talladega II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Talladega II
15 min
Peterson Racing addresses online abuse after parting ways with Austin Green
'Lines were crossed' – Franco Colapinto speaks out after online abuse targeting Alpine F1 staff
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
27 min
'Lines were crossed' – Franco Colapinto speaks out after online abuse targeting Alpine F1 staff
IndyCar set to drop Nashville Superspeedway and D.C. for 2027; Barcelona announcement looms
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 1 h
IndyCar set to drop Nashville Superspeedway and D.C. for 2027; Barcelona announcement looms
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe