Ticktum finds niche in Formula E, leaves Formula One dreams behind

MEXICO CITY :British driver Dan Ticktum has chosen to grow with Formula E rather than chase his Formula One dreams, saying the all-electric series offers a better work-life balance than the pinnacle of motorsport.

"You don't have a life if you are an F1 driver, your whole youth is gone. Here in Formula E there's a lot of space between races to do more stuff. Also the series is exciting and new," the 26-year-old told reporters on Wednesday.

It is a pragmatic pivot for one of motorsport's most controversial figures, whose path to Formula E has been marked by setbacks and fresh starts.

Ticktum's early career nearly ended before it began.

In 2015, during an MSA Formula race at Silverstone with Fortec Motorsport, he made contact with Ricky Collard on the first lap and dropped to the back of the field. 

His response? Overtaking the Safety Car to crash into Collard, an act that earned him a two-year ban and required pleading with authorities not to impose a lifetime suspension.

Red Bull's academy later gave him a lifeline and he was runner-up in the Formula 3 championship in 2018 but results were not deemed good enough and he eventually left in 2019. 

A development driver role at Williams followed, only to end badly after he made controversial comments about their then Formula One driver Nicholas Latifi.

"If you're a bit of a character, there's no space for you to grow in a place where so many brands try to appeal to everyone," Ticktum reflected. "I don't think that's the right way to live, and I stopped enjoying it. Happiness is the most important thing."

TICKTUM HAS FOUND HIS NICHE

Ticktum joined the NIO333 team for the 2021-22 season and has remained with them as they have undergone constant changes, most recently racing under the