Ticktum dropped from Red Bull junior programme

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Red Bull junior Dan Ticktum has been dropped from the energy drink's junior drivers programme following his subdued results in the 2019 Super Formula series.

Ticktum, who appeared to be earmarked sooner or later for a promotion to F1 after finishing second in last year's European F3 Championship behind Mick Schumacher, headed to Japan at the start of the season after a lack of funding prevented a step up to Formula 2.

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Unfortunately, racing in Super Formula with the Honda-powered Team Mugen outfit, the 20-year-old's results in Super Formula have fallen well short of Red Bull's expectations, prompting Helmut Marko to halt Red Bull's support for the young Brit.

"It’s a scheme that is results based and he’s had a tough time in Japan and it wasn’t working out," Red Bull Racing team boss Christian Horner told Sky F1.

"He was a member of the junior team and it was decided that he wasn’t the right guy moving forward as an option for either us or Toro Rosso, therefore the sums were called.

"He was given the shot, he was given the opportunity. It’s up to these guys to grab that with both hands."

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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.