Former Red Bull Junior Dan Ticktum made his single-seater return with the Euroformula Open (EF Open) test run in Italy.
Ticktum started his 2019 season with much enthusiasm as part of Red Bull Driver Academy, competing in Super Formula with Team Mugen Honda. However, his tenure was short-lived with Red Bull taking a strict action.
His results started to dwindle since 2018 when he lost the FIA European F3 series title to Mick Schumacher. It affected his Super Formula run as well and was eventually dropped from the series and Red Bull.
His place was taken up by Patricio O’Ward, who left the IndyCar scene to be more involved in Europe with Red Bull. It has been a quite time for Ticktum since losing his race seat and junior status with Red Bull.
However, he has made his return to single-seater albeit in a test run with EF Open in its new Dallara 320 car at Varano in Italy, which the series will run from 2020 onward, with the Halo safety device.
The British racer did 55 laps without any issues with a HWA AG engine in the car. “I have driven all types of single-seaters and for me, like for many drivers, my preferred racing car is the Dallara F312/317,” said Ticktum.
“After this first test with the new 320, I am glad to say that Dallara has achieved to make an even better car. It’s safer but the feel has not changed, it has even improved, as there is greater and better downforce.
“The feel in medium and high-speed corners is terrific and braking is amazing. I really enjoyed driving it and Dallara made a great job.” At the same time, Dallara project manager Jos Claes added:
“We are extremely happy of this first shakedown, which confirmed the progress made in all areas with respect to the previous car. The main thing to takeaway is that we can today confirm that the Dallara 320 will be at 575kg minimum weight.
“Thanks to the use of the most advanced technology and materials, the safety-related upgrades, including the Halo, not only will not add weight to the car, but will allow us to stay slightly below the current 580 kgs minimum weight threshold.”
