Ticktum ready to fill Gasly's seat at Toro Rosso

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Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum is ready to take on the challenge of racing in Formula 1 should the young Brit get the call from Helmut Marko and Toro Rosso.

Red Bull's decision to promote Pierre Gasly to its senior outfit for 2019 leaves a void at the Faenza-based squad and Ticktum is theoretically next in line to step up the ladder of the energy drink company's young driver program.

The 19-year-old was even rumored to make his F1 debut this season as a replacement for a struggling Brendon Hartley, but he did not meet at the time the stringent FIA superlicense criteria.

Gasly to join Verstappen at Red Bull Racing for 2019!

Ticktum currently leads the F3 European Championship and winning the series would make him eligible to race in F1, although he remains in the dark with regard to Red Bull's 2019 plans.

“I have no information [at the moment],” Ticktum told Sky Sports.

“All I can do is keep going race by race, win as much as I can and see where I end up.

“If I have the points at the end of the year [for a superlicense] and the opportunity is there then it is up to the boss and whether he feels I’m ready or not.

“There is always room for improvement but I feel like I could take on the challenge.

“If I don’t have the points then the boss will make a decision on where I am going next year.”

Asked whether Helmut Marko - the boss - had dropped any hints about his chances of stepping up to the big time next season, Ticktum insisted he had no insight at this time.

“I literally know nothing so we’ll see and will probably know something in the next couple of months.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.