Ticktum with one eye on Toro Rosso as superlicence worries clear

The Macau Grand Prix's Formula 3 race winner Dan Ticktum has set his sights on achieving enough superlicence points to compete in Formula 1 next year as uncertainty continues to surround Toro Rosso's second race seat alongside Daniil Kvyat for 2019.

The Red Bull junior was thought to have lost his F1 chance when he lost the European Formula 3 title to Mick Schumacher, but he will compete in winter series in order to take him up to the 40 points necessary.

And having won in Macau for a second year in succession – this time with a dominant triumph from pole position – the Briton is not ruling anything out for 2019, although he admits a season in Japan's Super Formula is his most likely destination.

"Obviously having five more towards the magic number is very, very handy," Ticktum told Autosport.

BACK TO BACK MACAU GRAND PRIX WORLD CUP WINNER! Massive thank you to the team, @redbullmotors and my other sponsors for the opportunity. Despite this, my thoughts are with everybody involved in the horrific accident this afternoon. Hope everyone recovers quickly! #MacauGP pic.twitter.com/fYaTwgRine — Dan Ticktum (@DanTicktum) November 18, 2018

"It means I won't be under pressure to go and win whatever I will do over the winter.

"But I don't think there will be a lot of drivers who will be able to challenge me in those series, without sounding too cocky.

"As long as I am in the right team and I do the right job, I hopefully will be able to achieve the magic 40 by next year.

"I think I've made a big improvement this weekend, in terms of how I work, so I am always improving.

"But I think it is safe to say a year in a category such as Super Formula may help me even more, so I wouldn't mind either way to be honest.

"Whichever situation I get thrown into, I will make sure I make the best of it."

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