World’s ‘most controversial racing driver’ responds to George Russell’s sly dig

Formula E star Dan Ticktum has sent a message to Mercedes driver George Russell after he appeared to reference him at the Spanish Grand Prix following his clash with Max Verstappen

Formula E star Dan Ticktum has hit back at George Russell following his veiled jibe after the Spanish Grand Prix. Mercedes driver Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen collided in the dying stages of the race in Barcelona on Sunday, but it was Russell’s post-race remarks that turned Ticktum’s head.

The clash saw Verstappen incur a 10-second penalty, demoting him to 10th place. He also amassed two additional points on his super license, leaving him teetering on the brink of a suspension. Post-race, Russell seemed to draw parallels between the collision and Ticktum’s infamous karting crash.

When asked if he could recall witnessing something similar in F1, Russell said: “Not in Formula 1. Maybe in Formula E. Yes, maybe there’s one British driver in Formula E. But as I said, Max is one of the best in the world.”

Russell’s comments were a pointed comparison to Ticktum intentionally crashing into another competitor under safety car conditions in 2015 – an act that led to a two-year ban, with the second year suspended. Following his ban, Ticktum found his way into the Red Bull academy and had a spell at Williams before eventually joining Formula E team NIO333 in 2021, which is currently known as Cupra Kiro.

Ticktum competed in two Formula E races in Shanghai at the weekend, coming fourth and 16th, respectively. The 25-year-old didn’t let the mixed results dampen his spirits, sharing snippets of a night out on social media before taking to Instagram to respond to Russell’s sharp remarks.

“Good evening, sports fans, I hope you’re all having a lovely Sunday. I’ve just had a very nice evening with the team and some of the guys from Porsche here in Shanghai,” Ticktum said. “I’m just on the way back to the hotel.

“It has come to my attention, via the Twittersphere, that a certain driver in Formula One, not to name names, but his name is George Russell, has made some rather choice comments about a certain Formula E driver.

“He hasn’t named my name, but it’s quite obviously pointed at me,” Ticktum argued. “I’d like to address those comments that he made.

“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 sceptical, to be likened to him at any point in my career is positive, if you ask me. Goodbye.”

Ticktum is in 10th place on the Formula E leaderboard after participating in 11 races this season. Russell, meanwhile, came fourth in Barcelona and sits fourth in the overall driver standings. The Mercedes driver was certain Verstappen had internationally steered into him.

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“I was as surprised as you guys were. I’ve seen those sort of manoeuvres before on simulator games and go-karting but never in F1,” Russell told Sky Sports.

“Ultimately, we came home in P4 and he came home in P10. I don’t really know what was going through his mind. It felt deliberate in the moment, so it felt surprising.”

Verstappen has since reflected on the incident and backtracked on his post-race comments.. “We had an exciting strategy and good race in Barcelona, till the safety car came out. Our tyre choice to the end and some moves after the safety car restart fuelled my frustration, leading to a move that was not right and shouldn’t have happened,” he said via Instagram.

“I always give everything out there for the team and emotions can run high. You win some together, you lose some together. See you in Montreal.”