Alfa Romeo have appointed 2020 Formula Two vice-champion, Callum Ilott as their second official reserve driver for 2021 Formula One season.
Ilott previously drove for the team at a 2019 in-season tyre test before featuring for the Italian outfit in 2020’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi in December.
The 22 year-old will share this role with Robert Kubica and will be the main reserve at events where Kubica isn’t available, owing to the Polish driver’s racing and testing commitments in alternative motorsport categories.
Speaking on his decision to join Alfa Romeo as Reserve Driver, Ilott is “really happy” to have secured the role and will drive for the team in FP1 of this weekend’s Portuguese Grand Prix, in the first of multiple FP1 appearances this season.
Ilott also spoke of his feeling that his two previous outings for the team will be “extremely useful” as he gets accustomed to being back within a F1 team, having switched to GT World Challenge Endurance Cup for this season amidst his F1 simulator work for Ferrari.
Alfa Romeo Team Principal, Frederic Vasseur is “delighted” to welcome Ilott back into the team, iterating his belief that the young Brit is “without doubt one of the most talented young drivers coming through the ranks.”
Vasseur also noted the impact that Ilott has had in his two previous outings with Alfa Romeo, saying; “He has worked with us before, each time leaving a lasting impression thanks to his work ethic and good feedback,”
Given that Friday Practice sessions are now just one hour, Vasseur has vowed to ensure that Ilott has “a busy programme” to work his way through in the opening session.
It is unclear at time of writing who of Antonio Giovinazzi or Kimi Raikkonen will sit out FP1 in Portugal in order for Ilott to take their car.
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