On paper Dan Ticktum has had another deeply average start to the season, just as he’s had the three before it.
He’s been unable to get through to the duel phase of qualifying at Sao Paulo and Mexico City and he’s finished one of the races, albeit in the lower reaches of the top ten.
While that might seem reasonable to some, it’s not for Ticktum.
But with a wash of context added, there is no real reason for Formula E’s most mercurial and sometimes maverick of drivers to be too down. He knows that a bit of patience, a trait not usually associated to him, is what needs applying in at least the first quarter of this season.
New owners, new powertrain, new teammate and new title partner have all been thrown in to Ticktum’s nest over the last few months. They are all positives for he and the team, in the long run. But for the here and now there is a lot of sorting out to do, and that includes a major recruitment drive to bolster the modest CUPRA KIRO squad from a human resources point of view.
“I still think it’s a great opportunity and now I’m finally in a package where I can prove myself it’s a lot more exciting,” Ticktum tells Formula E Notebook.
“I have to say, the last three years have been very tough. I largely feel like I’d wasted three years of my life to be honest. But I know that’s not the case as we’ve built up some good experience.
“I know the championship well now, and luckily, I was young enough and I’ve still got a good amount of time to achieve. But I need to start getting some results now, so I’m looking forward to being in a much more competitive car.”
He already is, it’s just that it’s not been switched n properly yet. That will come with experience and time, something that as Ticktum says he still has at 25.
But don’t worry. The impatience and the natural confidence haven’t been altered!
“I don’t think there’s anyone here who in the same car would do better than me on most days,” he says matter-of-factly.
“I think hopefully we can get to the stage this year or next year where we’re winning races. It could be possible but I need to prove myself here.”
But a warning of sorts for CUPRA KIRO. Ticktum’s ambition will never diminish and it can be overpowering. While that is dependent on it being deployed fully via his own maturity and focus and professional standing, a successful Ticktum will undoubtably get on to others radar for Gen4.
“Whether I get offers elsewhere to go win the championship, like I say it might be with this team, might not be, I just have to see how it all plays out. I’ve definitely got more motivation now than I did last year or the year before to do well in this championship.”
So, a motivated Ticktum should be an unstoppable Ticktum. The big questions now are how patient can he be? And then when the opportunities arise how clinical can he be?
By Monaco in May, if the team gets a proper grip on the Porsche and integrates its new staff smoothly, we should start to find out.
Andy Stobart contributed to this story
