Christian Horner Scolds Red Bull Junior Ticktum, Praises Mick Schumacher

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has waded into the controversy involving Dan Ticktum and Mick Schumacher, who are contesting for the FIA Formula 3 title.

Red Bull junior driver Tictum was leading the championship until recently before being usurped by Schumacher, who races for the Prema Racing team. The latter has won five of the last six races to take a 49-point lead going into the final round of the campaign.

The British racer did not take losing the lead in good stride and went on to question the sudden surge by Schumacher’s team. He labeled their sudden rise to championship contention "interesting" and also seemed to suggest that the Prema driver was getting preferential treatment because of his last name.

"Compared to the top two no one on this grid had a chance. Even their other teammates who are good drivers were nowhere compared to them," Ticktum wrote in an Instagram post he has since deleted, according to nine.com.au.

“Interesting is how I would describe their pace and I am confident many people in the F3 paddock will agree,” he added. "I am fighting a losing battle as my last name is not Schumacher."

Mick, the son of legendary Formula 1 racer Michael Schumacher, ignored the comments and made it clear he is not interested in getting into a war of words with his rival.

“I do not listen to something like that,” he said. “The car is terrific to drive. We've evolved as a team, while others may have stopped at one point. I wish him good luck that he stays in the title fight. But I focus on myself, that's my key.”

Ticktum’s actions have certainly not gone unnoticed by the big boss, and Horner seemed to have scolded the Briton for his irresponsible comments. The Red Bull team principal believes the driver spoke without thinking.

The 19-year-old was mentioned as a potential candidate to fill one of the vacant seats at Toro Rosso — Red Bull’s sister team in F1 — but Horner has made it clear he is very far from making the step up, and indicated that it could be longer if he does not make changes to his temperament.

“He is a character,” Horner told Sky Sports, as quoted on Planet F1. “He sometimes engages mouth before brain.”

“He is a talented driver, but he got more development to do before he is anywhere near Formula 1 level. He is fast, but he needs to polish off a few rough edges,” he added.

The Red Bull chief also went on to praise Mick and believes the German is now the favorite to win the F3 title ahead of Ticktum after making a late surge in the championship.

“In Formula 3, Mick Schumacher has been doing a great job and Prema have been particularly dominant in the second half of the season,” the Red Bull team principal added. “They have obviously got it together and he is the man to beat. It very much looks like he is favourite to win that Championship now.”