Ticktum: My last name is not Schumacher

Ticktum, who races for Motopark, started the season with a bang but in the latter half of the season has struggled to find the early form, while Prema Theodore Racing found an edge which has resulted in Schumacher junior winning five of the last six races and taking a commanding lead in the championship.

With teammate Robert Shwartzman they have grabbed five 1-2 finishes and wrapped up the team's title in Austria.

After a below par weekend at Red Bull Ring, Ticktum wrote on an Instagram: "Compared to the top 2 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!"

When accused of sour grapes in the comments, Ticktum responded: "To all people who have left negative comments on here… this is the one and only response you will get from me, so enjoy it…. I’m not a sore loser. Neither am I salty. I have a huge respect for Mick who had 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, ill 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,” added Ticktum

The post has since been removed from Ticktum's Instagram account.