Williams retains Dan Ticktum as F1 development driver

Dan Ticktum will remain in his role as a development driver for the Williams Formula 1 team in 2021.

The 21-year-old Briton joined Williams in the role last year, which he combined alongside a season in Formula 2, finishing 11th in the championship and claiming a victory.

For the upcoming 2021 F2 season which begins in Bahrain this weekend, Ticktum has switched from the DAMS squad to join Carlin.

Ticktum will carry out a busy simulator programme for the Grove-based outfit back at its factory as well as joining the team at the track on race weekends where possible.

“I am very happy to be continuing my partnership with Williams as development driver,” said Ticktum.

“It will be fun to get more time trackside this year as last year was quite difficult, so it will be nice to get more involved with the team at the track. I am looking forward to continuing my support in the sim, and I am very focused for this year.

“I still have a lot of work to do as my season hasn’t started but I am privileged and very happy as always to be representing Williams.”

The former Red Bull junior is a two-time winner of the prestigious Macau Grand Prix, winning the race in 2017 and 2018. He also finished runner-up to new Haas driver Mick Schumacher in the 2018 FIA Formula 3 European Championship.

Williams team principal Simon Roberts said: “It’s great to be continuing our working with Dan in his role as development driver.

“He is a very exciting young driver with plenty of talent, which is evidenced by his back-to-back successes in Macau along with his impressive rookie season in F2 last year.

“We got to see first-hand his skills in the simulator and Dan played an important role in helping with car development, along with becoming a well-respected member of the team. We look forward to watching him grow and develop in 2021.”