Dan Ticktum, currently competing in Formula E, has reacted to comments made by George Russell after the heated events at the Spanish Grand Prix, describing Russell’s remarks as “a bit unnecessary.” The incident, involving Russell and Max Verstappen, gained significant attention due to a controversial on-track clash and ensuing comments that sparked debate among drivers and fans alike.
During the Spanish GP, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen appeared to yield to George Russell, seemingly allowing the Mercedes driver to regain a position after an earlier tussle. However, Verstappen abruptly accelerated into Russell, causing a collision that drew sharp criticism. The event, unfolding in May 2024, spilled over into public discussion, prompting reactions from the racing community and media.
Reactions to the collision: accusations and interpretations
Sky F1 analyst Nico Rosberg, 2016 Formula 1 World Champion, criticized Verstappen’s move as intentional. Speaking in the commentary box, Rosberg declared,
“He needs to get black flagged. He just crashed into Russell on purpose just to prove a point. That was horrible. That did not look good. That’s bad, bad, bad. That is seriously bad.”
Although George Russell stopped short of calling Verstappen’s actions deliberate, he shared his impressions candidly. He told media outlets, including PlanetF1.com,
“It felt very deliberate, to be honest.”
When asked if he had ever witnessed such an incident in Formula 1 before, Russell remarked,
“Not in Formula 1. Maybe in Formula E.”
Russell then added,
“Yeah, maybe one British driver in Formula E.”
Ticktum’s past and the implication behind Russell’s remark
While Russell did not mention a name, Dan Ticktum interpreted the comment as a veiled reference to himself. Ticktum, a 25-year-old British driver, served a two-year ban early in his career after deliberately crashing into rival Ricky Collard during the 2015 MSA Formula championship. His history in motorsports and his current presence in Formula E fueled speculation that Russell’s jab targeted him.
Ticktum addressed the remarks directly in an Instagram post from Shanghai, where he was attending a Porsche team event. He began,
“Good evening, sports fans, I hope you’re all having a lovely Sunday,
”
before continuing to reference the “certain driver in Formula One” who made the comment.
He wrote,
“He hasn’t named my name, but it’s quite obviously pointed at me. I’d like to address those comments that he made.”
Ticktum concluded his message with,
“Number one, thank you for the free publicity. We’ll take that any day of the week. And two, while what Max did today was a little bit skeptical, to be likened to him at any point in my career is positive, if you ask me. Goodbye.”
Russell’s reaction to Ticktum’s reply and their mutual respect
When informed of Ticktum’s response ahead of his media briefing in Canada, George Russell emphasized that no offense was intended. He said,
“I’ve known Ticktum for a while, an obviously talented driver. I didn’t mean any offense with my comment. I was just using that as an example.”
He also noted,
“So, yeah, I heard he saw the funny side of it.”
Russell affirmed the absence of bad blood between them, stating,
“No. I mean, I’ve not actually seen him for a long time. I know he’s racing in Formula E, I keep half an eye on that when I can, so I know he’s done a pretty decent job.”
Ticktum remains bothered despite the mutual acknowledgment
Despite Russell’s reassurances, Ticktum shared his feelings in an interview with RacingNews365, expressing frustration about the timing and nature of the jab. He said, “Yeah, I definitely thought, why?” and added,
“Honestly, I’ve known George for a little while. I’ve not seen him for years, but I don’t believe there was anything malicious really, behind the comments. I just thought it was all a bit unnecessary to make, arguably, a bit of a gibe.”
Ticktum acknowledged Russell’s achievements, expressing respect for his career, but remained puzzled by the comment.
“He’s doing the job. So, yeah, I respect him in that sense. But I just, I didn’t really understand that, to be honest,”
Ticktum explained.
Ticktum’s recent success and ongoing career developments
Dan Ticktum recently scored his maiden Formula E victory at the Jakarta ePrix, overcoming Edoardo Mortara in a closely fought battle. This milestone marked an important highlight in his career, demonstrating his perseverance and talent within the all-electric racing series. As Ticktum continues to build his reputation, the incident involving George Russell and Verstappen remains a notable point of discussion among motorsport fans and commentators.