Callum Ilott facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Callum Ilott
Ilott at the 2024 6 Hours of Fuji
Nationality	British
Born	(1998-11-11) 11 November 1998 (age 26) Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
FIA World Endurance Championship career
Debut season	2024
Current team	Jota Sport
Starts	8
Wins	1
Podiums	2
Poles	0
Fastest laps	0
IndyCar Series career
38 races run over 4 years
Team(s)	No. 90 (Prema Racing)
Best finish	16th (2023)
First race	2021 Grand Prix of Portland (Portland)
Last race	2024 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
Wins Podiums Poles 0 0 0
Previous series
2019–20 2018 2015–17 2015	FIA Formula 2 Championship GP3 Series FIA Formula 3 European Championship Toyota Racing Series
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years	2021, 2024
Teams	Iron Lynx, Jota Sport
Best finish	8th (2024)
Class wins	0

Callum Benjamin Ilott (/ˈaɪlɒt/ EYE-lot; born 11 November 1998) is a British racing driver currently competing in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship racing for Jota Sport in the Hypercar category.

He also competes in the NTT IndyCar Series and is contracted to drive for the debuting Prema Racing Team for 2025. Ilott was runner-up to Mick Schumacher in the 2020 Formula 2 Championship. He was previously a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Open-wheel racing career

Karting

Making his debut in 2008, he saw his first win in 2011 in the Formula Kart Stars, and finished third in the German Junior Karting Championship, both in KF3. He remained in KF3 with Chiesa Corse Team for the 2012 season, with much success. Ilott put himself on the radar at age 13 by winning the WSK Masters Series, the WSK Final Cup, and finishing as runner-up in the WSK Euro Series and the CIK-FIA World Cup. He was selected as the youngest ever WSK Driver of the Year. In 2013 he contested in KF and KF2 machinery and won the Trofeo delle Industrie and the WSK Final Cup. In 2014, with Zanardi Strakka Racing, he finished fourth in the CIK-FIA World Championship, third in the WSK Champions Cup, and won the WSK Super Masters Series, as well as the CIK-FIA European Championship.

Toyota Racing Series

Callum Ilott made his single-seater debut in the Toyota Racing Series with ETEC Motorsport, using a helmet with the Red Bull livery, but unofficially announced as a member of the Red Bull driver development programme. He took a fourth in the seventh race, and in Taupo was the quickest in the practice sessions. In Manfeild he finished near the podium. He finished 16th in the championship, being fast in qualifying and practices but struggled for race pace.

FIA Formula 3 European Championship

2015

Ilott at Spa-Francorchamps during the 2015 FIA Formula 3 European Championship.

Ilott stepped up to Formula Three in 2015, racing in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship with Carlin aged 16. Despite being a rookie, his pace placed him as one of the title contenders before the start of the season. He tested F3 machinery and Formula Renault 2.0 to accumulate experience before his Formula 3 debut. In the preseason testing, Ilott made his first impressions, finishing sixth in his first collective test and second in wet conditions on his second day. Ilott achieved one podium at the Nürburgring, finished seventh in the Rookie Championship and twelfth in the overall standings.

2016

For the 2016 season, Ilott switched to Van Amersfoort Racing alongside rookies Pedro Piquet, Harrison Newey and Anthoine Hubert. In the second race of the first round at Circuit Paul Ricard, Ilott took his first victory in the sport and a second victory at the Red Bull Ring resulting in an overall sixth-place finish.

Ilott took pole position and won the feature race at the Red Bull Ring in the 2018 GP3 Series season.

2017

On 22 November 2016, Ilott was confirmed to be racing with Prema Powerteam for the 2017 season. He improved to fourth in the driver standings, losing to his teammate Maximilian Günther by 39 points. Ilott won six races and finished another six races on the podium, helping Prema Powerteam secure the Teams' championship title for the fifth consecutive season.

GP2 Series

In December 2016, Ilott tested with ART Grand Prix in the post-season test at Yas Marina.

GP3 Series

After GP3 Series tests at Abu Dhabi it was announced that Ilott was scheduled to race with ART Grand Prix in the 2018 GP3 Series. He finished in 3rd place, only behind teammates Nikita Mazepin and the late Anthoine Hubert. He scored seven podiums, two of them being victories.

FIA Formula 2 Championship

2017

In July 2017, Ilott made his debut at the sixth round at Silverstone with Trident. He finished both races outside the top-ten positions.

2019

Ilott at the 2019 Spielberg Formula 2 round with Charouz

In 2018, after racing a season of GP3, Ilott took part in the Formula 2 post-season test with Trident and Charouz Racing System.

He then raced a full season in F2, finishing 11th in the overall standings, securing two podiums in the sprint races in Catalunya and Sochi respectively and his maiden pole in Monza.

2020

For the 2020 season, Ilott left Sauber Junior Team by Charouz and joined 2019 teams' championship runner-up UNI-Virtuosi Racing alongside Zhou Guanyu. He remained a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. Ilott took his first Formula 2 victory at the delayed season's opening race at the Red Bull Ring after pole sitter Zhou suffered electrical problems. Ahead of the season finale, Ilott announced that he would not race in F2 or F1 in 2021. Ilott ended the season with 3 wins, 5 poles and 6 podiums, finishing runner-up to fellow FDA driver Mick Schumacher. Ilott reunited with his former team Charouz Racing System for the first day of the Formula 2 2020 post-season test in Bahrain.

Formula One

Ilott was inducted into the Red Bull Junior Team in 2015 prior to his FIA Formula 3 European Championship debut, however he was dropped from the programme at the end of the year following a winless campaign. After finishing fourth in the championship in 2017, he became a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy.

Ilott had his first experience in a Formula One car during the 2019 in-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, driving the Alfa Romeo Racing C38. He completed 41 laps before his running was cut short after he crashed in Turn 3. Ilott was due to make his Formula One weekend debut during the Friday practice session of the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix, driving for the Ferrari-powered Haas F1 Team, but the session was canceled because of poor weather.

After appearing at the post-season test for Alfa Romeo in December 2020, it was announced that Ilott would be taking the role of Scuderia Ferrari test driver for the 2021 season. In April 2021 he was appointed Alfa Romeo's second reserve driver, sharing duties with fellow reserve Robert Kubica. Ilott appeared in FP1 for the team at the Portuguese Grand Prix and the Austrian Grand Prix, running No. 98.

Ilott was recalled by Alfa Romeo to serve as their reserve driver for the 2022 Miami Grand Prix.

IndyCar Series

Juncos Hollinger Racing (2021–2023)

2021

Ilott signed with Indianapolis-based outfit Juncos Hollinger Racing for the last three races of the 2021 IndyCar Series. He made his debut at the Grand Prix of Portland, where he finished 25th, only completing 77 of the 110 laps due to a mechanical failure mid-race. In the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, he crashed his No. 77 car during the warmup session, though he was unharmed by the accident. He went on to finish 22nd, one lap behind the lead pack. In the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, Ilott qualified 18th. However, after completing 47 of the 85 laps, he was forced to retire with a mechanical issue, finishing 26th.

2022

Ilott at the 2022 XPEL 375

On 24 September 2021, Ilott announced that he would remain with Juncos Hollinger Racing and race full-time for the team in the 2022 IndyCar Series.

Following a crash in the 106th Running of the Indianapolis 500, Ilott broke his right hand and was not given medical clearance to race in the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, which took place the following weekend. He made his return in the Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America, where he finished 11th. He finished the 2022 season at Laguna Seca qualifying on the front row, with his best qualifying result at 2nd, but ultimately retiring from the race with engine issues.

On 28 July 2022, it was announced that Ilott has signed a two-year extension with Juncos Hollinger Racing, keeping him with the team through the 2024 season.

2023

Ilott started the 2023 IndyCar season at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg where he finished fifth, his best finish in the series. He went on to have a season full of ups and downs, with additional drama off track surrounding his team and teammate. Preparation for the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500 left Ilott frustrated, commenting "I couldn't even go in a straight line. It was like a ping-pong ball across a corridor. Just bouncing, bouncing, so I'm like, 'That's not good…'" during the first Indy 500 Open Test day in April. Ilott continued to finish towards the bottom in all the practice days in May, before Juncos Hollinger Racing decided to switch the chassis. Ilott, despite only having done 11 laps with the new chassis, qualified 28th, led a few laps, and eventually finished 12th.

He proceeded to have some great overtakes during the season, even when he had to fight his car on track besides fighting other drivers. He replicated his best finish of 5th at the season finale in Laguna Seca.

On October 26, Ilott and Juncos Hollinger Racing announced that they had mutually agreed to part ways after more than two seasons together.

Arrow McLaren (2024)

Ilott at the 2024 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

Ilott made a brief appearance in the 2024 season with Arrow McLaren, driving at the opening race in St. Petersburg, whilst deputising for David Malukas who suffered a wrist injury in a mountain biking accident. Ilott also drove in the 2024 Indianapolis 500 after Malukas was released from the Arrow McLaren team in late-April, finishing in 11th. Ilott also helped Arrow Mclaren test the hybrid system.

Prema (2025)

Ilott is set to join Prema's new IndyCar team for the 2025 season, being paired with Robert Shwartzman.

Sports car career

2021

GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup

In February 2021, Ilott signed with Italian outfit Iron Lynx to compete in the 2021 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, driving the No. 71 Ferrari 488 GT3 alongside fellow Ferrari Driver Academy member Antonio Fuoco and Italian driver Davide Rigon.

24 Hours of Le Mans

Ilott made his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in the 2021 edition with Iron Lynx, driving the No. 80 Ferrari 488 GTE alongside Italian drivers Matteo Cressoni and Rino Mastronardi. Ilott replaced Andrea Piccini for the race, as Piccini chose to step away from driving and focus on his duties as Iron Lynx team principal. He achieved a podium in his first outing, finishing third in the GTE Am class and 27th overall.

Intercontinental GT Challenge

Ilott contested the first round of the 2021 Intercontinental GT Challenge, the 24 Hours of Spa, with Iron Lynx Motorsport Lab in the No. 71 Ferrari 488 GT3. Their race ended prematurely, as the No. 71 was involved in a four-car accident during lap 10. In a bid to win the Manufacturer's championship for the first time, Ferrari announced in October 2021 that they would contest the remaining two rounds of the three-round championship. Ilott, alongside Antonio Fuoco and Alessio Rovera (later replaced by Davide Rigon), were announced as drivers in the No. 71 Ferrari entry for the 2021 Indianapolis 8 Hours, this time racing with AF Corse.

2024

Ilott competing for Hertz Team Jota at the 2024 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

After failing to secure a full-time IndyCar seat for 2024 having been dropped by Juncos Hollinger Racing last minute, Ilott moved to the FIA World Endurance Championship for his campaign, piloting the 12 car for Jota Sport sponsored by Tom Brady, alongside Norman Nato and Will Stevens. The team would score their maiden top-class podium during the first race in Qatar, after battling for podium positions throughout the race and the Peugeot breaking down before the finish, helping the team secure a P2 in the race to start the season on a high. Two rounds later Ilott, together with his teammate Will Stevens, got his first win at Spa-Francorchamps after a mid-race red flag. This also marked the first win in hypercar for Jota. After the win, an unlucky streak struck Ilott. He showed great speeds in the qualifying sessions, always starting off the weekend on a high but continuing with the lowest lows, like crashing out in the last minute of the second practice of Le Mans, leading to the complete change of chassis in mere days, which not only made the team miss Hyperpole but also start on the backfoot. The team however went on to finish 8th, which was their original starting position, strongly contesting the whole race without any big troubles. He then crashed out of the race at the 6 hours of Sao Paolo after coming out of the pits, sending the car back into the garage, leading them to finish last in class. The unfortunate events followed him to the Circuit of the Americas, where the car suffered an electrical issue 2 hours into the race, which they couldn't fix in time. The Jota squad took the FIA World Cup title after finishing fifth during the 6 hours of Fuji, finishing as the first privateer car. Originally they started the race in p16 after a disastrous qualifying, however the race turned a bit messy which allowed them to fight for podium positions closer to the end. The next and last race of the season is the 8 hours of Bahrain, which the team contends as the crowned FIA World Cup champions. Ilott is departing the team at the end of the season.

Karting record

Karting career summary

Racing record

Racing career summary

^† As Ilott was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.

Complete Toyota Racing Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete FIA Formula 3 European Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

^† Driver did not finish the race but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

Complete Masters of Formula 3 results

Year	Team	Car	Qualifying	Quali Race	Main race
2015	Carlin	Dallara F312	9th	14th	8th
2016	Van Amersfoort Racing	Dallara F312	1st	2nd	4th

Complete Macau Grand Prix results

Year	Team	Car	Qualifying	Quali Race	Main race
2015	Carlin	Dallara F312	18th	DNF	DNF
2016	Van Amersfoort Racing	Dallara F312	2nd	2nd	5th
2017	Prema Powerteam	Dallara F317	3rd	1st	15th
2018	Carlin	Dallara F317	2nd	3rd	7th
2019	Sauber Junior Team by Charouz	Dallara F3 2019	3rd	5th	6th

Complete GP3 Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete FIA Formula 2 Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)

^‡ Half points were awarded as less than 75% of the scheduled race distance was completed.

Complete Formula One participations

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete GT World Challenge Europe Endurance results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year	Team	Co-Drivers	Car	Class	Laps	Pos.	Class Pos.
2021	Iron Lynx	Matteo Cressoni Rino Mastronardi	Ferrari 488 GTE Evo	GTE Am	338	27th	3rd
2024	Hertz Team Jota	Norman Nato Will Stevens	Porsche 963	Hypercar	311	8th	8th

American open-wheel racing results

IndyCar Series

(key)

Indianapolis 500

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

See also

In Spanish: Callum Ilott para niños