Red Bull has confirmed that junior driver Dan Ticktum will be heading east in 2019 to race in the ultra-competitive Japanese Super Formula series.
Ticktum finished runner-up to Mick Schumacher in this year's FIA European F3, and as the young charger next in line in Red Bull's programme the Brit was at one point considered for a seat at Toro Rosso for next season.
However, the 19-year-old's promotion to F1 was blocked because of a lack of points to qualify for Grand Prix racing's mandatory superlicence.
With Formula 2 and Super Formula seen as Ticktum's best options, Red Bull has decided on sending its protégé to Japan where he will race for Mugen under the energy drink company's banner.
Ticktum won't be the only Red Bull representative racing in the Land of the Rising Sun next season, with former DTM winner Lucas Auer also electing to spend a year in Japan.
The nephew of ten-time Grand Prix winner Gerhard Berger was left without a programme for 2019 following Mercedes departure from the DTM series. Auer, who enjoyed several tests with Force India in the past, will join the new B-Max Racing/Motorpark operation in Super Formula.
As it restructures its junior programme for next season, Red Bull also confirmed its 2019 support for European F3 racer Juri Vips and Japanese F4 champion Yuki Tsunoda.
More drivers will be added to its roster in the coming weeks, with Red Bull announcing its full junior programme by the end of the year.
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