Ticktum to contest Asian F3 Winter Series in bid for F1 superlicence

Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum will compete in the 2019 Asian F3 Winter Series in his continued bid to secure enough points for a Formula 1 superlicence.

The two-time Macau Grand Prix winner has signed for Hitech GP to contest the three-round, nine-race championship which takes place between January 13 and February 24.

Ticktum finished as runner-up behind Mick Schumacher in the 2018 European Formula 3 Championship which moved him onto 32 of the 40 points needed for him to earn a superlicence.

Winning the Asian F3 series would hand the Briton a further 10 points that would take him over the required threshold and open the door for graduation to F1.

The Chang International Circuit hosts the opening round of the championship, before a double bill at Sepang, the former home of the F1 Malaysian Grand Prix.

He forms part of a four-car assault on the series fielded by Hitech - which is also contesting the rebranded F1-supporting FIA F3 series in 2019 and supplying cars for the new W Series - along with Pavan Ravishankar, 2018 F4 SEA champion Alessandro Ghiretti and reigning Pro Mazda champion Rinus van Kalmthout.

"I’m really looking forward to taking part,” said Ticktum. “The main reason is to get my hands on some superlicence points.

“I will however benefit from extra track time over the winter at two prestigious circuits, so overall I am really looking forward to getting started.”

Ticktum will carry out his main 2019 racing programme in Japan as he contests the country’s premier single-seater championship, Super Formula.