Dan Ticktum confirmed at the recent 2022/23 Formula E season finale that it’s “almost definite” that he will remain at NIO 333 Racing for a third season in 2024.
Whilst not yet official, Ticktum explained to Motorsport Week at the London E-Prix that sticking with the Chinese team next season “is the plan”, in what’ll mark his third campaign in the all-electric series.
It had been rumoured that Ticktum was looking for a seat elsewhere and had received some attention from other sides; however, another year with NIO appears to be the case for the British driver.
“Yes, that is the plan,” Ticktum confirmed to Motorsport Week. “It’s almost definite, but it’s obviously not released yet. But I had a two-year contract anyway, so yeah.”
NIO are also expected to retain Sérgio Sette Câmara for season 10, despite the Brazilian having endured a very underwhelming campaign.
Ticktum, on the other hand, has enjoyed a very positive season, which has seen him show significant progress from his rookie season last year. The 24-year-old’s rookie campaign in 2022 was nothing to write home about; however, he was in the worst car on the grid by some margin.
The same can’t be said for season nine, where NIO have very much risen off the foot of the pecking order. They secured ninth in the Drivers’ Championship following back-to-back points finishes by Ticktum at his home E-Prix, which ensured that the side finished ahead of both Mahindra-powered teams.
Considering that NIO are the only powertrain supplier without a customer team, finishing ahead of Mahindra is a huge deal for the Silverstone-based outfit. NIO’s and Ticktum’s qualifying pace this season has been sublime, with efficiency having been the team’s downfall.
Ticktum made seven appearances in the duels in 2023, the same number as Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein who fought for the title. He even made two semi-final appearances in Diriyah and Berlin. However, the Briton was rarely able to make progress from wherever he started, due to NIO’s efficiency struggles.
This held Ticktum back somewhat, with him having only claimed points in seven of the 16 races. He ended the year 17th in the Drivers’ Championship on 28 points, whereas Sette Câmara finished P20 on just 14 points.
His best result of the season was P6, which he claimed somewhat controversially in Monaco after colliding with Maximilian Günther, and also in Cape Town.
There is a lot to be positive about for both Ticktum and for NIO, who are definitely on the right path towards becoming consistent points finishers. Improving their efficiency is Ticktum’s main wish for season 10, with him believing that some “good things” will become possible should they do that.
“Overall, I think I can be a bit negative sometimes, but I think compared to last year, we’ve had good one-lap pace this year, whereas last year was very bleak,” reflected Ticktum.
“We didn’t really have anything [last year], but at least this year we had good one lap pace. So all the guys, my engineer and everyone and myself, at least we have a chance to prove that we’re doing things right in terms of setting the car up for one-lap.
“So, yeah, in that respect it’s positive, but if we just had a bit more efficiency, I think we could do some good things.”
