Ticktum questions Schumacher’s F3 surge

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Mick Schumacher: Sudden surge in F3

Dan Ticktum has said that he finds Mick Schumacher’s sudden surge in F3 “interesting” after he stormed to the top of the standings.

Schumacher narrowed the gap to Ticktum considerably after claiming a hat-trick of victories at the Nurburgring in Round 8 and has now leapfrogged theRed Bulljunior driver with a further two wins and a second place at the Red Bull Ring over the weekend.

As a result, the son of legendary seven-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher, has opened up a 49-point lead with just one round remaining at the Hockenheimring.

Ticktum had long been in control of the F3 championship, and took to Instagram after the race to raise doubts over Schumacher’s massive improvement in form.

View this post on Instagram

Not ideal is the best way I can describe the weekend here in Austria. I don’t like pointing fingers at anyone but to be honest, this weekend the pace in the car was not there. Set up mainly, as in the last race when we got the car better, we were pretty quick climbing from 7th to 4th. However compared to the top 2 no one on this grid had a chance. Even their other team mates who are good drivers were nowhere compared to them. Interesting is how I would describe their pace and I am confident many people in the f3 paddock will agree. I did the best possible as I always endeavour to do! Thank you to the team as always for their hard work. It’s not over until it’s over and I’ll make sure I arrive at the last round in the best shape I can #redbull #redbullracing #redbullring #fiaf3 #wafeproject

A post shared byDan Ticktum(@dan_ticktum) on

“不理想是最好的方法I can describe the weekend here in Austria,” Ticktum said on Instagram, before later removing the post.

“I don’t like pointing fingers at anyone but to be honest, this weekend the pace in the car was not there. Set up mainly, as in the last race when we got the car better, we were pretty quick climbing from 7th to 4th.

“However compared to the top 2 no one on this grid had a chance. Even their other team mates who are good drivers were nowhere compared to them.

“Interesting is how I would describe their pace and I am confident many people in the f3 paddock will agree.

“I did the best possible as I always endeavour to do! Thank you to the team as always for their hard work. It’s not over until it’s over and I’ll make sure I arrive at the last round in the best shape I can.”

Ticktum is a firm contender to drive for Toro Rosso next season, but even if he was able to re-take the World Championship in the final race it would still leave him 10 points short of obtaining the necessary superlicense to race in Formula 1.

Latest reports have said Toro Rosso would be willing to wait until winter testing to announce their full 2019 line-up, which would give Ticktum the chance to get to the magic 40 mark by competing in other formats such as the F3 Asian Winter Series in January and February.

Schumacher’s recent rise, though, has put him firmly on Formula 1’s radar, although Toro Rosso themselvessay they have had no contact with him.

Ferrari have saidthe “door is always open” for Schumacher, but team principal Maurizio Arrivabene stated his desire for him not to be rushed into Formula 1 and continue his development with Prema through the junior ranks.

The final round of the F3 season is on October 13-14.

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Mick Schumacher

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