Dan Ticktum feeling 'up against it' after frustrating Formula E opening rounds

Dan Ticktum believes he is "up against it" following a frustrating start to the Formula E season, which saw him score his first points last time out in Jeddah.

The Briton has faced considerable bad luck across the opening five races and sits on just 10 points after finishing fifth in the second race of Formula E's Jeddah E-Prix earlier this month.

Pace has not been an issue for Ticktum, who has seen several factors outside of his control go against him on multiple occasions.

In the São Paulo season-opener last December, Ticktum — who started on the front row — suffered a puncture at the first corner after being hit by Nyck de Vries. In Mexico City, when set for a likely top-five finish, he was an unfortunate victim of a multi-car collision.

In Miami, Ticktum and Cupra Kiro gambled on dry tyre pressures on a damp track. In the first Jeddah race, Ticktum took his only attack mode too early, before a solid P5 was secured in the second race in Saudi Arabia — the most recent round.

It has been a frustrating start for the 26-year-old, having ended last season so strongly, with him ultimately targeting bigger and better results.

"Yeah, I'm not a man who celebrates fifth," Ticktum told RacingNews365 light-heartedly in Jeddah. "It's been a really unfortunate start to the year for a number of reasons. 

"Obviously, I won't go too far into it — you know, I've had punctures, been taken out. Look, I could be very close to winning a championship standing here now, and I've only got however many points fifth is."

TIcktum with ground to make up

Ticktum is accurate in his reflection on how the season has gone and would likely have scored around 30 more points if not for São Paulo and Mexico City in particular. That would have put him in title contention.

For a driver currently pushing for a seat on the grid for Gen4, strong results are essential. Ticktum is aware that his difficult start to the season has left him with significant ground to make up.

Asked if there is a sense of relief in finally getting off the mark, Ticktum replied: "I mean, maybe a little bit, obviously, but we should be scoring points. 

"We don't have the best car, but with a bit more fortune this year — like I say — I think I could be on at least 40-odd points. 

"So yeah, it's just been a bad start. But good to get some points on the board. We're certainly up against it, though, for the rest of the year."