Callum Ilott rounds out Ferrari’s five-day Fiorano F1 test

Ferrari Formula 1 test driver Callum Ilott closed out the Italian outfit’s five-day test at Fiorano on Friday afternoon.

After Formula 2 title rival and Haas F1 driver Mick Schumacher logged 53 laps in the 2018-spec SF71H in the morning, Ilott took over on Friday afternoon to conclude the five-day test at Ferrari’s private track.

Ferrari academy members Robert Shwartzman, Marcus Armstrong and Giuliano Alesi kicked off proceedings on Monday by sharing driving duties, before Charles Leclerc returned to action for a full day of running on Tuesday.

New signing Carlos Sainz then made his Ferrari debut on Wednesday and turned in over 150 laps on his first appearance with the team during his day and a half stint, before handing over to Schumacher on Thursday afternoon.

In total, the seven drivers racked up more than 1500km between them.

“Seven drivers on track over the five days, covering more than 1500 kilometres between them made for a really busy week for the team at Fiorano,” said Ferrari Sporting Director Laurent Mekies.

“The most important aspect of the test was to give the Scuderia official race drivers, Charles and Carlos, the opportunity to get back into the swing of driving again after the winter break. 

“For the FDA guys it was another opportunity to experience driving a Formula 1 car. For Carlos and Marcus the test was also a “first”, as the Spaniard was making his debut with his new team and the New Zealander was experiencing a Formula 1 car for the first time. 

“I think the best thing about the week was the atmosphere in the garage at our home track, with all the guys really happy to be back on track, to prepare as well as possible for the upcoming season.”

The outing marked Ilott’s fourth test in an F1 car and followed his appearance with the Ferrari-affiliated Alfa Romeo team during end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi in December.

The 22-year-old previously drove Ferrari’s 2018 car at Fiorano in September, in what was supposed to act as preparation for his scheduled grand prix practice bow at the Eifel Grand Prix, but both Friday practice sessions ended up being cancelled in Germany due to poor weather.

Ilott had his maiden F1 run for Alfa Romeo in an official test in Spain in 2019.

The Briton, who is without a full race programme for 2021, will spend the upcoming season supporting Ferrari by taking part in further on-track tests, attending grands prix and working in the team’s simulator.