Williams signs ex-Red Bull junior Ticktum as F1 development driver

Williams has added Dan Ticktum to its driver academy and he will act as Formula 1 development driver.

The ex-Red Bull junior is a two-time winner at the Macau Grand Prix and made his F1 test debut with his former team earlier this year at the Bahrain in-season test before returning to action at the Barcelona in-season test.

But following an unsuccessful stint in Japan’s Super Formula with Team Mugen the British driver was dropped from the Red Bull ranks.

Ticktum, who will contest his first full Formula 2 campaign in 2020 after signing for DAMS, has been picked up by Williams as a development driver within its academy.

“It is a privilege to be joining the Williams Racing Driver Academy, especially given Williams’ incredible heritage in our sport,” Ticktum said. “The time in the simulator and experience working with the team will prove invaluable for my development. Being fully integrated into the operations will be a fantastic opportunity and I look forward to assisting wherever I can.”

Ticktum, who finished runner-up in the European Formula 3 championship in 2018, will work for Williams at its simulator to focus on car development as the Grove-based team looks to turnaround its fortunes after a disastrous 2019 finishing last in the F1 world constructors’ championship having scored just a single point all year.

“I am delighted that Dan, another exciting young British talent, has joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy,” Claire Williams, deputy team principal, said. “His ability behind the wheel has been demonstrated with back-to-back successes at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 2017 and 2018.

“Dan’s technical expertise will prove invaluable to the team and we are looking forward to helping him grow and develop in 2020.”

Ticktum will also attend to F1 Grands Prix with Williams in 2020 and carry the teams’ logos on his F2 overalls and car.