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Ferrari junior Callum Ilott to make F1 test debut with Alfa Romeo

Ferrari junior Callum Ilott will get his first on-track Formula 1 experience in May's Barcelona test, where he will join the Alfa Romeo team's driver line-up.

Alfa and the Ferrari Driver Academy have announced that the 20-year-old Formula 2 rookie will complete a day in the Alfa Romeo C38 at the Barcelona circuit, following the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Barcelona test will mark GP3 race winner Ilott's first opportunity to drive an F1 car on-track.

Ilott's Alfa run will follow fellow Ferrari protege Mick Schumacher's outing with the team in next week's Bahrain test.

Alfa team principal Frederic Vasseur said: "We are very pleased to announce that Mick Schumacher and Callum Ilott will each complete a rookie test day for Alfa Romeo Racing.

"It is in our team's DNA to spot and nurture young talents.

"Mick and Callum are perfect examples of determined and skilled racers who deserve to be given the chance to take the next steps in their careers.

"Collaborating with two such promising drivers is great news for our team, and we look forward to working together."

Schumacher joined the FDA for the current season while Ilott has been on Ferrari's books since 2017, having previously been backed by Red Bull.

Ilott is making his F2 debut with the Charouz-run Sauber Junior Team this year, while Schumacher is moving up with the Prema took that took him to the 2018 Formula 3 European title.

Current Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is the first FDA graduate to have been promoted to the Maranello team.

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said the testing opportunities for Schumacher and Ilott could be "very useful at this stage in their career".

Zdroj: autosport.com