Why Britain's Ferrari-linked F1 hopeful is playing the waiting game

Good things come to those who wait? Callum Ilott is certainly hoping that proves to be the case after his step back from front-line single-seater racing in 2021.

Last year, the Ferrari Driver Academy protege was one of the stars of the FIA Formula 2 series, and eventually finished runner-up to Maranello stablemate Mick Schumacher. He had harboured serious hopes of being promoted to a slot at Haas or Alfa Romeo, Ferrari’s partner teams. But even as the end of F2 campaign drew to a close, he knew he would be standing by as Schumacher’s graduation to F1 was confirmed, along with those of third-placed Yuki Tsunoda and fifth-placed Nikita Mazepin.

With no slot available, and after opting not to have a third crack at F2, Ilott has moved into the role as second reserve at Alfa Romeo. He also has a programme in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with the Iron Lynx Ferrari squad to help keep him race fit.

The Alfa deal at least puts him a step closer to a race seat. He’s already enjoyed one FP1 outing, in Portugal, and there are four or five more to come as the year progresses. At some races where Robert Kubica isn’t available he will be the primary reserve, and he could be needed if Ferrari has a problem and Antonio Giovinazzi is called upon to switch to the works team, leaving an Alfa seat vacant. So the 22-year-old is keeping himself busy, and getting over the disappointment of not going straight into a race seat in 2021.

“Obviously, I wasn’t best pleased when I first got the news, because it is quite hard to see your competitors make the step up,” he admits. “But I’m one of these people that once you’re in a situation that you can’t necessarily change, and once you’re put in a position where you have to deal with it, you’ve got to make the most of it. Which is what I’m trying to do.

“To be honest, if anything it’s probably a good thing in the sense that I’ll just work harder to make it happen. So for me, it’s not an option to have if, buts or maybes. It’s like we’ll make it happen or no, basically!”

Callum Ilott, Iron Lynx Ferrari 488 GT3 GTWCE Monza 2021

Photo by: Jules Benichou/SRO

Ilott insists that until the Haas and Alfa seats were officially filled, he still believed he had a chance of finding a berth, despite the obvious momentum behind Schumacher and indications that there would be no change at Alfa.

“Of course I was trying to always look for positives,” he reflects. “But it’s not up to me. I’ve got to work for it; I’ve got to make sure that someone is completely happy in taking me. I’ve got to make sure I’m the full package because once you’re here, you’ve got to be at the top of your game all the time.

“I’ve got to be confident in that process, because that’s all I can be. But I like to make things happen to myself – I’m a very stubborn kid if someone says no! I’ll push as much as possible.”

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He is now totally immersed in the Hinwil camp, soaking up what information he can, while also staying close to Ferrari.

"I’ve got to show that I’m someone that you’d be happy to trust and put in the car and know that they would do a good job" Callum Ilott

“I’m additional reserve driver for Alfa Romeo, and test driver for Ferrari,” Ilott explains. “So simply explained, it’s split between me and Robert [Kubica] for the season. Obviously, he has a few more LMP commitments than I have in GT, because I’ve only got five race weekends. So when he’s not around and he’s got commitments on that side, I’ll be here.

“The next one for me is Baku [next month]. In between races I’ll be in Maranello, and head over to Hinwil sometimes for some sim and preparation. It’s very variable, because some race weekends I’ll be at the track, some race weekends in Maranello. I’m there if someone needs me, depending on whatever the conditions are.

“Obviously I’m part of FDA, so we’ve got our weekly schedules on that side. I help Ferrari on the test side, if there’s anything that needs to be done there. So I’m there for whoever needs me, and trying to get as much experience and learning as possible. If I’m not on the tracks, I’ll be watching as closely as possible back in the factory.”

Callum Ilott, Portuguese GP FP1 2021

Photo by: Alfa Romeo F1 Team

A third driver role is not always easy – all that hanging around at tracks when you’re not racing – but Ilott is making the most of the Alfa opportunity.

“I end up with probably too many questions for everyone to be able to answer, because they’re all busy!” he laughs. “I’m in a year where I’m in this position, so I’ve got to make the most of it. OK, it’s not personal experience, but you can watch and learn from others.

“I speak to Mick, I’ve spoken to Charles [Leclerc]. I do get an understanding from them what the limitations might be in a rookie season, that kind of thing. So it’s more about being as ready as possible for when an opportunity arises.

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“A Friday [FP1] is a good way to hopefully have a regular experience and learn as much as possible in a short amount of time. I’ve got to show that I’m someone that you’d be happy to trust and put in the car and know that they would do a good job.”

The first FP1 outing in Portugal was a big moment for Ilott, especially after the disappointment of bad weather washing out his planned outing with Haas at the Nurburgring last year.

“It’s not just turning up on the weekend – you’ve got to do the pre-preparation, seat fit, all the data and everything like that, it was like a solid couple of weeks of prep,” he says.

“To not then drive was a bit of a disappointment, so to finally get out in Portugal was a good experience. It’s different compared to a free practice day, or the Abu Dhabi rookie test. It’s limited running, you’ve got an hour, and all the cars are on track at the same time.

“It’s just a bit more compact, and you’ve got to make sure everything’s perfect and get up to speed as quick as possible. It was definitely a very positive session, things I needed to improve and learn on, and there was progress throughout. And hopefully for the next one, there should be a bit more of a step.”

Callum Ilott, Portuguese GP FP1 2021

Photo by: Alfa Romeo F1 Team

Crucially, he impressed his team boss.

“You have to show the pace, but most important, you don’t have to crash,” says Alfa’s Fred Vasseur. “You have to show that you are the best one, but please don’t put the wheel on the kerb!

“And this exercise is very difficult. Portimao is probably the most tricky track, but I think he did a very, very strong performance. The most important thing for us also is to keep him in the car on a monthly basis, let’s say, because part of his job is the simulator, and he needs to get connected to the car. He’s very well integrated into the team, and is doing a good job. And I’m pleased to have him on board.”

Ilott has no regrets about not continuing in F2 for a third season, as tempting as it was to be out there racing. In effect he had more to lose than to gain.

"I love to race F2, it was a great format, it’s just there was only one place better I could go. And I think, with the three races [the new F2 weekend format], a lot has changed" Callum Ilott

“I had discussions, within Ferrari, within the F2 teams,” he confirms. “But the call was on the late side of what the situation was for F1. And so by that time, you had a lot of the F2 teams already decided, and it’s not so easy to then change teams again and be in another unfamiliar environment.

“I finished second in the championship, five poles, three wins. I was as close as you were going to get to winning it. Not that you don’t want to take that risk: I love to race F2, it was a great format, it’s just there was only one place better I could go. And I think, with the three races [the new F2 weekend format], a lot has changed.

“Also, as much as regular driving is important, which it is, if you need to need jump in I think there’s another level of information that you need to learn from F1 which I wasn’t going to maximise if I was doing a full race season in F2.”

Callum Ilott (GBR, UNI-VIRTUOSI), celebrates victory with his trophy on the podium

Photo by: Mark Sutton/Sutton Images/Motorsport Images

Ilott admits that he was a bit wary about committing to a race programme in GTs, but he enjoyed his first outing at Monza, which ended with him taking fourth place.

“To be honest, I was a little bit hesitant at first, because it’s not what I’m used to, it’s not what I’m comfortable with,” he says. “But now that I’ve done one race weekend, and quite a few tests, I really enjoy it.

“It’s a good immersive series, first of all, very competitive, and it’s another element of driving that I haven’t really experienced. The endurance side, longer stints. There’s always something to learn and always something to transfer.

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“It’s not the same car, it’s not anywhere near to a single-seater in corner speeds, but the focus of driving, the repetition on that side, feedback, all of that, there’s another thing that you have to adapt to. I’m just doing the endurance races – Monza, Paul Ricard, Spa, Barcelona, all proper tracks. The Spa 24 Hours will be an experience, for sure.”

"I still think I’m in a very, very good position. Yes, I have to wait a year. I’ve seen people wait two" Callum Ilott

The GT programme is not going to help Ilott into an F1 seat, but what might assist him as the year progresses is strong form from his former rivals, Tsunoda and Schumacher.

“Yuki made a great impression in Bahrain, it was really good to watch, actually,” enthuses Ilott. “So from that side, it was a good benchmark to say, ‘Look, here’s what one guy can do’. With Mick, we all know that he takes a bit of time to get there. But once he’s there, he will be good. And you can already see the pace is getting better.

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“I think they’re doing a good job, and I think it’s only a matter of time before the reference is even closer. And it’s easier for me to say, ‘Well, I was in the middle of these two guys!’

“I still think I’m in a very, very good position. Yes, I have to wait a year. I’ve seen people wait two. I think the focus is still on doing the best job as possible on the GT side, and the FP1 side, and then hopefully an opportunity may present itself.”

Callum Ilott, Portuguese GP FP1 2021

Photo by: Alfa Romeo F1 Team