2020’s FIA Formula 2 vice-champion Callum Ilott is still enjoying a well earned break. However, he has one eye on what 2021 may hold as he looks set to be the official Scuderia Ferrari test driver.
Although he will be disappointed to not be in full time racing and especially disappointed that his performances didn’t warrant a step up to Formula 1, he also acknowledges that being part of the Scuderia Ferrari team full time is an honour many would dream about.
“Obviously a great privilege. It’s finally out there to public knowledge,” said the Brit in the At The Controls podcast.
“It’s an amazing privilege to be associated with Scuderia Ferrari again first of all. It should lead to some exciting opportunities next year which I’m very much looking forward to.
“This is obviously where you want to get to. It’s not the seat, but it’s a prior role which hopefully will teach me everything needed to be a Formula 1 driver.
“So from that side I’m incredibly excited to firstly announce it and move into the role and learn what I can.
“When I was a kid, the first grand prix I went to was Abu Dhabi in 2009, and on the Friday morning we were quite lucky because a friend of ours worked in Ferrari at the time and I managed to get a view in the garage.
“And from there it’s just been one of those childhood dreams that’s coming true.
“Becoming part of the Ferrari Driver Academy three years ago, it’s something I wanted to work towards and to be able to now become part of the team is a check off the list and something I’m really proud of.”
Like we have see in 2020, the virus is likely to still be prevalent through at least part of the year and this may result in a few call up’s or at worst some FP1 run-outs.
“At the moment it will be some simulator work, potentially some FP1s – but that’s still to be confirmed – and 2018 car running,” he explained.
“Obviously I will be going to most of the F1 weekends to try and integrate and learn with the team, and see it from that perspective and learn hopefully from Charles and Carlos.
We hope to see Callum on track during the 2021 season showing us the pace that took him right up to the final round as a championship challenger.
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