Dan Ticktum responds as George Russell hints a Formula E driver did what Max Verstappen did, says 'To be likened to him is a positive'

Time of India

03-06-2025

Image credit: Formula E/Instagram
Cupra Kiro driver Dan Ticktum has reacted to Formula 1 driver George Russell's 'one British driver in Formula E' mention when the latter was asked if he had ever seen a driver who did what F1 champion Max Verstappen did, that is, deliberately hitting another during a race.
Ticktum responded to Russell's remark by thanking him for 'free publicity' and likening himself to none other than Verstappen, who is currently the reigning number 1 champion in Formula 1.
George Russell hinted at Dan Ticktum while commenting on
Spanish Grand Prix
incident
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen was handed a 10-second penalty during the race and a three-point penalty on his licence for hitting George Russell's Mercedes during the Spanish Grand Prix. One more mistake and he can face a one-race ban.
When Russell was asked if he had seen any other driver do such a thing, he told the media, "Not in Formula 1. Maybe in Formula E. Maybe one British driver in Formula E.'
Dan Ticktum responds to George Russell's remark
Dan Ticktum took note of Russell's mention. Ticktum had received a two-year ban for deliberately hitting another driver during an MSA Formula (now British F4) race. He recently clinched his first podium of the season at the Tokyo E-Prix.
Taking to Instagram to share a recorded response to Russell's remark, Ticktum said, "I have just had a very nice evening with the team and some of the guys from Porsche here in Shanghai.
I'm just on the way back to the hotel. It has come to my attention via the Twittersphere that a certain driver in Formula 1 - not to name names but his name is George Russell - has made some rather choice comments about a certain Formula E driver.
'
Thanking Russell for the mention, he further said, "He hasn't named my name, but it's quite obviously pointed at me. We'd like to address those comments that he made I believe on the team radio. Number one, thank you for the free publicity. We'll take that any day of the week. And two, while what Max did today was a little bit sceptical, to be likened to him at any point in my career is a positive if you ask me. Goodbye."
Also Read:
'Everyone doubts me': Dan Ticktum after claiming first-ever podium at Tokyo E-Prix 2025 Round 9
Max Verstappen later penned a note in which he accepted that the mistake was not right and it 'shouldn't have happened.' Meanwhile, Dan Ticktum is now preparing for the Jakarta E-Prix. It is scheduled for June 21.