Ferrari F1 test driver Ilott set for 2021 practice debut with FP1 outings

Ferrari Formula 1 test driver Callum Ilott is set to make his delayed grand prix practice debut with a number of FP1 appearances in 2021.

Ilott, who finished runner-up to new Haas driver Mick Schumacher in the 2020 Formula 2 championship, was scheduled to make his F1 practice bow during FP1 at the Eifel Grand Prix, but Friday’s running in Germany ended up being cancelled due to poor weather.

That meant Ilott missed out on the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an F1 car in an official grand prix session for the first time, but Ferrari has announced it plans to give the Briton some practice experience this year, most likely with one of its customer teams - Alfa Romeo or Haas.

“We've got Mick in Haas starting his experience in F1,” said Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto.

“But we've got still young drivers competing in F2 – like for example Robert Shwartzman. And there is Callum Ilott, who will be our test driver, will do simulator, and will do free practices.”

Ilott drove for Alfa Romeo in F1’s post-season Abu Dhabi test and recently got some mileage behind the wheel of Ferrari’s 2018 SF71H car as part of a five-day test at Fiorano.

The 22-year-old is not set to return to F2 for a third season and is unlikely to contest a racing programme in a bid to become “immersed” in his work at Ferrari.

“It was a great feeling and a great experience to get refreshed, back in a proper car,”  said Ilott.

“This was a good start to the year to get a bit more experience with the team and understand a bit more the working environment within F1, so that hopefully by the pre-season tests, I can be as immersed as possible in this Ferrari F1 world.”

Fellow Academy members Robert Shwartzman and Marcus Armstrong will continue their development in F2 with Prema and DAMS respectively.

Ilott and Shwartzman will form the Ferrari Driver Academy’s line-up for this weekend’s Virtual British Grand Prix event.