Following another clear defeat in Austria this weekend, Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum has cast a rather insidious doubt over Mick Schumacher's five-race winning streak.
Ticktum, who desperately needs to win the FIA European F3 series to garner enough points to possibly race with Toro Rosso in F1 next season, endured another setback at the Red Bull Ring.
Schumacher's win in Saturday's round followed by another victory on Sunday and a runner-up spot has put the German in command of the championship, with a 49-point advantage with just three races to go.
Ticktum took to social media to vent his apparent frustration with his state of affairs, and also raise suspicions about Schumacher's sudden winning form and that of his team Prema.
"Not ideal is the best way I can describe the weekend here in Austria," Ticktum wrote on Instagram.
"I don’t like pointing fingers at anyone but to be honest, this weekend the pace in the car was not there. Set up mainly, as in the last race when we got the car better, we were pretty quick climbing from 7th to 4th.
"However 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. Interesting is how I would describe their pace and I am confident many people in the F3 paddock will agree.
"I did the best possible as I always endeavour to do! Thank you to the team as always for their hard work. It’s not over until it’s over and I’ll make sure I arrive at the last round in the best shape I can."
Ticktum said he felt "robbed of a championship whether it’s my fault or not", but denied Prema had run an illegal car.
"They may just have a special engine map or something. I never said it was illegal," he added.
Ticktum's rather immature reaction reflects his disappointment, but the 19-year-old charger insists he is no poor loser.
"I’m not a sore loser. Neither am I salty," he wrote later in the day.
"I have a huge respect for Mick who has dealt with a lot in the past few years. I am simply suggesting that it seems to have come from nowhere? I never said it was illegal.
"I appreciate I have lessons to learn still. I’m not denying that. You don’t know the real story because you are not at the track looking at everyone’s data. So I’m afraid I have to tell you that your opinion is invalid under these circumstances.
"I’ll say it only once more, unless you have something constructive to say, leave your useless, all thought comments off my page as they have no evidence to ratify the truth. If you want to talk to me, DM me, as I can answer your questions if you may have some!
"Unfortunately however I am fighting a losing battle as my last name is not Schumacher."
Not a sore loser? Come on Ticktum, who are you kidding?
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