Callum Ilott: A Journey Through Open-Wheel Racing
Callum Ilott has established himself as a formidable talent in the world of open-wheel racing, progressing through the rigorous tiers of junior formulas to compete at the highest levels of driver development. From his early dominance in karting to his success in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, Ilott's career is marked by raw speed and a steady climb through the competitive European racing scene.
The Foundation: Early Success in Karting
Ilott began his competitive journey in 2008, quickly making a name for himself in the karting world. By 2011, he secured his first win in the Formula Kart Stars and claimed third place in the German Junior Karting Championship, both competing in the KF3 category (a class of karting for junior drivers). His momentum grew in 2012 with the Chiesa Corse Team, where he won the WSK Masters Series and the WSK Final Cup, while finishing as the runner-up in both the WSK Euro Series and the CIK-FIA World Cup. These achievements earned him the title of the youngest ever WSK Driver of the Year.
Continuing his ascent in 2013 and 2014, Ilott transitioned to KF and KF2 machinery. He won the Trofeo delle Industrie and the WSK Final Cup in 2013. In 2014, racing with Zanardi Strakka Racing, he achieved a major milestone by winning the CIK-FIA European Championship and the WSK Super Masters Series, alongside a third-place finish in the WSK Champions Cup and fourth in the CIK-FIA World Championship.
Transition to Single-Seaters
Ilott made his debut in single-seater racing during the 2015 Toyota Racing Series with ETEC Motorsport. Although he was unofficially linked to the Red Bull driver development programme, he faced a steep learning curve. While he demonstrated significant pace in qualifying and practice sessions—including being the fastest in Taupo—he struggled to maintain that speed during races, ultimately finishing sixteenth in the championship.
Rising Through the FIA Formula 3 European Championship
In 2015, at just sixteen years old, Ilott stepped up to the FIA European Formula 3 Championship with Carlin. He entered the season as a title contender after impressive preseason testing, where he finished second in wet conditions on his second day. He secured one podium at the Nürburgring and finished twelfth overall and seventh in the Rookie Championship.
The 2016 season saw Ilott move to Van Amersfoort Racing. He claimed his first victory in the sport at Circuit Paul Ricard and followed it with a second win at the Red Bull Ring, finishing the season sixth overall. His trajectory continued upward in 2017 with Prema Powerteam, where he won six races and earned six additional podiums. This performance placed him fourth in the driver standings and helped Prema Powerteam secure their fifth consecutive Teams' championship title.
The GP3 and Formula 2 Ascent
After testing with ART Grand Prix, Ilott competed in the 2018 GP3 Series. He finished the season in third place, securing seven podiums and two victories, trailing only his teammates Nikita Mazepin and Anthoine Hubert.
Ilott's transition to the FIA Formula 2 Championship began with a debut for Trident at Silverstone in July 2017. After a full season in GP3, he returned to F2 in 2019, finishing eleventh overall. During this campaign, he secured two sprint race podiums in Catalunya and Sochi, and achieved his first career pole position at Monza.
The 2020 season marked a peak in his F2 career. Joining UNI-Virtuosi Racing while remaining a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA), Ilott claimed victory in the season's opening race at the Red Bull Ring. He concluded the year as the championship runner-up to Mick Schumacher, boasting an impressive tally of three wins, five pole positions, and six podiums.
Key Facts
- Youngest WSK Driver of the Year: Awarded during his successful 2012 karting campaign.
- European Champion: Won the CIK-FIA European Championship in 2014.
- F3 Success: Won six races in the 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship with Prema Powerteam.
- F2 Runner-Up: Finished second in the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship.
- Ferrari Affiliation: Competed as a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy during his 2020 F2 season.
| Series/Category | Key Achievement | Notable Team |
|---|---|---|
| Karting (KF3/KF2) | CIK-FIA European Champion (2014) | Zanardi Strakka Racing |
| FIA Formula 3 | 4th Overall (2017) | Prema Powerteam |
| GP3 Series | 3rd Overall (2018) | ART Grand Prix |
| FIA Formula 2 | Runner-up (2020) | UNI-Virtuosi Racing |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Callum Ilott start racing karts?
Callum Ilott made his karting debut in 2008 and achieved his first win in 2011 in the Formula Kart Stars.
Which team did Ilott race for during his most successful F3 season?
Ilott raced for Prema Powerteam in 2017, where he won six races and finished fourth in the driver standings.
What was Ilott's highest achievement in the FIA Formula 2 Championship?
His highest achievement was finishing as the championship runner-up in 2020, securing three wins and five pole positions.
Was Callum Ilott part of any driver academies?
Yes, he was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy during his 2020 Formula 2 campaign.
How did Ilott perform in the 2018 GP3 Series?
He finished third in the overall standings with ART Grand Prix, recording seven podiums and two victories.