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Ticktum runs in F1 car for first time as McLaren prize

Ticktum runs in F1 car for first time as McLaren prize

23-10-2018 17:23
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Formula 3 runner-up Daniel Ticktum has driven in a Formula 1 car for the first time in his career, as the Red Bull academy driver took the 2013 McLaren MP4-28 for 20 laps around Silverstone.

If you're wondering why a Red Bull driver is driving a McLaren - it's because Ticktum won the 2017 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award, with a prize of driving the '13 F1 car from the Woking-based team.

Ticktum went for four separate runs at Silverstone with five hot laps in each. Notably, he drove the '13 car rather than McLaren's 2011 car, the Grand Prix-winning MP4-26 driven by previous McLaren Autosport BRDC winners and 2019 F1 drivers Lando Norris and George Russell. 

Still, as it was his first experience in an F1 car, Ticktum was over the moon with the way it drove.

“Everyone will say it who’s done it, but it is impossible to put into words [how driving an F1 car feels]," he told Motorsport.

“It’s been hard work with a lot of ups and downs but to be sat in an F1 car is more than a dream. I feel like I’ve completed my life almost, I’m just so happy!

“[The experience] is like taking everything in Euro F3 and then doubling it. All the techniques to drive it, I’ve noticed there’s quite a lot of similarities, some of which you’d expect. But the noise is just incredible and I won’t ever forget that – my first time driving an F1 car.

“The first few laps were about progression, and I’ve just built up over the runs. I was having a few snaps [of oversteer] through Maggotts so I was getting close.”

The Brit lost out in the Formula 3 title race despite taking an early lead, winning four races. Mick Schumacher, son of Michael, then caught on fire though, winning almost every race since Spa Francorchamps and taking the title.