Autosportfoto

Ilott says first Formula 1 test with Alfa Romeo an "alien feeling"

Ferrari Academy driver Callum Ilott says his chance to drive the Alfa Romeo Formula 1 car this week in the post-Spanish Grand Prix test is an "alien feeling".

Ilott drives for the Sauber Junior Team in Formula 2, but has struggled for budget on his progression through European Formula 3, GP3 and now into Formula 2.

The 20-year-old Briton says his focus is still primarily on performing in F2 this season, but that the F1 test is a "massive opportunity" for the future.

When asked how realistic a career in F1 feels now he has a first test chance, Ilott told Autosport: "This is another step up for me in the opportunities and experience it offers, so there's lot to learn.

"Some of it is quite different, an alien feeling. It's big step.

"I've just got to focus on what I can do and let's see how things develop over the season.

"If I can show I can do a good job in F2 and at the F1 test, who knows, anything can happen.

"It's my first time driving an F1 car but if I can demonstrate I've prepared, I'm consistent and follow the programme, then let's see what happens.

"Testing an F1 car is a massive step in terms of what it can do for me."

Ilott finished third in the GP3 Series last year, behind fellow 2019 F2 graduates Anthoine Hubert and Nikita Mazepin.

His F2 rookie season began with a qualifying crash that hindered his chances in Bahrain, before a hydraulic issue after hitting Jordan King's car in Azerbaijan hampered his weekend there.

But in Spain last weekend Ilott scored his first F2 podium in Sunday's reversed-grid race.

With his Sauber-branded F2 team connected to the Alfa Romeo F1 squad, Ilott believes he is "definitely in the right place" for his future.

"I've got more access to the [Alfa] team and it can also see how I am performing in F2," he added.

"It's still very early in the programme but joining the Sauber Junior Team has always felt like the right move for me.

"But my focus is very much on delivering in F2 this season."

Ilott is getting the chance despite the fact that Alfa Romeo named Juan Manuel Correa its reserve driver this year. The American - who has also scored a podium in F2 - will not test with the team this week.

A host of F2 drivers join Ilott in the F1 test.

Sergio Sette Camara gets his first outing with McLaren, while Mazepin tests with Mercedes, points leader Nicholas Latifi with Williams and Jack Aitken with Renault.

Zdroj: autosport.com