Dan Ticktum was not entirely convinced he would be on the Formula E grid two months ago, let alone leading a new, well-financed and ambitious team in Fortescue Zero.
Frankly there were a few weeks he was probably staring in to a grim career abyss.
Then, almost immediately after the London E-Prix finale last August he tested for Lola and some momentum returned. He even had an approach from his out-going CUPRA Kiro team again. Then there was the team that ultimately became the Fusion entity running Porsches, who he was also talking to.
There was clearly unease from Ticktum, a driver who has won an E-Prix in each of the last two seasons, and a driver who still divides paddock opinion.
“I’ve been so stressed because there’s been quite a lot of plates spinning and jumping through hoops to make all this happen,” Ticktum told Formula E Notebook at the Fortescue Zero launch.
“I can understand from some people’s perspectives that there could be some people that they might be sceptical about having me represent a new team and all the rest of it. I can understand that, but I think most people misunderstand me, if not everyone.
“I think once people actually do work with me properly, they’ll be pleasantly surprised, actually. I think now with this team, it’s a very good avenue for me to prove that.”
Ticktum has had solid support from his family and some advice from established racing people too. But ultimately it has been his occasional performances in Formula E that have earned him the right to getting a strong seat for GEN4. Fortescue Zero has a mountain or two to climb in the coming months, but in Ticktum they are confident he will ascend rather than descend their new results mining expedition.
“I’ve assured everyone who’s put their neck on the line for me that I totally understand what the remit is, and what I can and can’t do,” said Ticktum.
“I’m very grateful to my parents for forcing me to stay in school unlike a lot of racing drivers. I know what the job is. Andrew’s (Fortescue owner and founder, Andrew Forrest) is a chap who’s quite a character.
“We’ve got some characters on this team, and I don’t think it’s going to be completely corporate. I think I think that we’ll still be able to have some character. I know what the job is.”
Ticktum has driven the GEN4 in a modified set-up with slick tyres and a “full beans boost setting” already at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. His two days with Lola in Spain were also at full power, but a recent day with Jaguar was staggered with specific set-up and systems work.
Who Ticktum’s teammate will be at Fortescue Zero is still unknown but it almost certainly will not be Taylor Barnard, who as per FEN’s prediction last week, was not in attendance at the launch.
It is understood that negotiations between Fortescue Zero and Barnard’s management team – PHM Racing Academy GmbH – and their legal teams is ongoing. The latter is seeking a release of the driver, citing specific objections regarding his contract.
Fortescue Zero now has precisely a week to find an adequate replacement for Barnard, who if is released cleanly from his contract, is expected to drive for the Fusion Porsche squad in 2027, although his presence at the Jarama test later this month is unclear.
Anthony Rawlinson contributed to this report
