F1 hopeful Ticktum avoids dog in Macau quali win

Red Bull junior driver Dan Ticktum looks on form to win back-to-back Macau Grands Prix after he took a dominant victory in Saturday's Formula 3 qualifying race at the famous street circuit. The 19-year-old encountered a dog while en route to victory, but kept his cool nonetheless.

Ticktum won in Macau last year after Ferdinand Habsburg and Sergio Sette Camara crashed at the final corner, but his return 12 months on has been much more dominant.

Having started the quali race on pole thanks to Friday's efforts in Q2, Ticktum was initially jumped off the line by Ferrari junior Callum Illott -who had somehow avoided a nasty crash in Friday's running.

Ticktum kept his fellow Brit on a short leash, however, and reeled him back in on the second lap, before bursting clear of the pack and leading every lap to the flag.

A dog running in front of him brought out a safety car, but Ticktum bounded clear at the restart to maintain his advantage.

P1 in the qualification race with quickest lap!

Car was great again! Second pic shows a dog on track which brought out the safety car - never a dull moment on the streets of Macau???? Full focus on the race tomorrow afternoon!

???? @WafeProject #MacauGP pic.twitter.com/wN8rscpXhs — Dan Ticktum (@DanTicktum) November 17, 2018

Ticktum's Motopark teammate Joel Eriksson will join him on the front row for Sunday's race, having enjoyed a better restart than Illott, who will start third.

"It’s been a good weekend so far," Ticktum said. "After the first two laps it was quite plain sailing, we were able to build a good gap. Callum got past me on the first lap and I had a few challenges thrown at me early on, but after that I was able to get into a good rhythm.

"My biggest rival tomorrow will be Joel I think, because I believe Motopark has the best car, which is great for the team. It should be a good clean race tomorrow and hopefully I can come out on top."

Mick Schumacher, who beat Ticktum to the European F3 title this year, will start Sunday's main race sixth.

Gehe von Startplatz 6 in den Macau Grand Prix morgen. Ich werde alles geben. #SCM #QuickMick #TeamMS Starting from P6 for the Macau Grand Prix tomorrow, going to give everything. @TheodoreRacing1 @PREMA_Team #KeepFighting pic.twitter.com/xfUZ1ZnaNZ — Mick Schumacher (@SchumacherMick) November 17, 2018