Formula E in Turmoil: Dan Ticktum Unleashes Fury Over Shocking Stewarding Standards
In a fiery tirade that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, Dan Ticktum has brutally criticized the state of racing and stewarding in Formula E, likening the current environment to “rental kart hacks.” This explosive declaration comes on the heels of a disastrous start to the 2025/26 season, where the CUPRA KIRO driver has shockingly failed to score a single point.
Ticktum’s woes began at the Sao Paulo opener, where he started from the front row but was struck by Nyck de Vries of Mahindra, resulting in a damaging puncture that forced him into an early retirement. The anguish continued in Mexico, where the Briton found himself embroiled in yet another collision—this time with Antonio Felix da Costa. The chaos erupted at Turn 5, following a previous incident involving Maximilian Gunther. However, stewards opted not to impose penalties, citing “several unfortunate elements” and deeming the initial contact “too minor.” Ticktum vehemently disagrees, declaring that the stewarding decisions are utterly unacceptable.
“I’ve been trying to not hit my head against a wall,” Ticktum lamented on social media, recounting his frustration over the weekend’s events. “I was running P5 or P6 after a strong start when I got hit and lost three places. The driver who crashed into me didn’t even receive a penalty! How can this be acceptable in a world championship?” His voice dripped with indignation as he continued, “The safety car came out for another incident, and then a few laps later, I was once again a victim. My race was over due to suspension damage.”
The crux of Ticktum’s outburst centered on the alarming lack of effective stewarding in Formula E. “We may not be F1, but we are marketed as a world championship,” he asserted. “It’s unacceptable for the FIA to miss critical incidents. People are getting away with far too much, leading to chaos reminiscent of rental karting, where drivers recklessly send moves without consideration.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Ticktum’s rookie teammate, Pepe Marti, was involved in a crash that triggered a red flag in Sao Paulo after misjudging a full-course yellow, resulting in his car flying through the air. While Marti was penalized with a back-row start in Mexico and a 10-second stop-go for a complete powertrain change, he still managed to salvage six points with a seventh-place finish after a remarkable late charge.
Ticktum reflected on his teammate’s success despite numerous setbacks, saying, “I don’t want to see the pendulum swing too far the other way and ruin the racing, but right now, it’s just not right.” He expressed disbelief at the disparity in their performances: “I’ve qualified second and sixth in the first two races, yet my teammate is ahead of me in the championship. It begs the question: what’s the point of qualifying? I might as well start from the back, wait for the chaos, and conserve energy to charge forward.”
With frustrations boiling over, Ticktum’s candid critique shines a glaring spotlight on the urgent need for reform in Formula E’s stewarding and race management. As the season unfolds, fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching closely to see if the necessary changes are made, or if the chaos will continue to reign supreme in the all-electric racing series.
