Ticktum to Toro Rosso? (Update)

Dan Ticktum

UPDATE (GMM) Red Bull looks set to wait to finalize the 2019 driver lineup for Toro Rosso.

Earlier, we suggested the energy drink company could be set to announce Daniil Kvyat and Pascal Wehrlein as its all-new drivers for Toro Rosso next year.

But Dr Helmut Marko says the plan is only to announce one driver next weekend at Sochi.

It will probably be Russian Kvyat.

"We are currently planning to announce one driver in Sochi," he said.

"It's important to get one driver contract done quickly. There is not such a hurry to fill the other cockpit. We can even wait until winter testing," Dr Marko added.

According to Turun Sanomat newspaper, it is believed Red Bull is going to wait for Dan Ticktum.

The 19-year-old Briton is a top driver in European Formula 3, but even if he wins that title, he will not have the required points to secure a F1 super license.

So 'plan B' is reportedly the Asian F3 winter series, where Ticktum could secure the remaining FIA license points he needs.

"In Singapore, our source at Red Bull revealed that negotiations are underway to get Ticktum a competitive car for those races," correspondent Luis Vasconcelos said.

08/20/18 (GMM) Dan Ticktum has given a strong hint that he might be about to make his move into formula one.

In July, Red Bull wanted the 19-year-old F3 driver to replace Brendon Hartley at Toro Rosso.

But FIA rules meant Ticktum couldn't get the super license even to test for the Italian team after the Hungarian grand prix.

"How are we supposed to bring our young drivers to formula one?" Dr Helmut Marko complained.

But it is believed Ticktum will now test after Abu Dhabi, and he didn't deny that formula one in 2019 could be the next logical step.

"I'm in formula 3 so I cannot answer that," he said. "Sorry, I'd like to but I cannot.

"There is nothing confirmed at the moment. Of course it helps to win, but this is formula 3 and there is still a long way to go."

Another contender to replace the probably Red Bull-bound Pierre Gasly for 2019 is Lando Norris, who could be traded by McLaren in exchange for an early start for new technical boss James Key.

"We do not want to comment yet in relation to 2019," a source close to 18-year-old Norris said.

We added Ticktum to our 2019 F1 Silly Season page