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Ilott to take part in young driver test for Alfa Romeo at Abu Dhabi
Title contender Callum Ilott will get a chance to step into the cockpit of 2020 Formula 1 machinery, with Alfa Romeo announcing that he will drive for the team at the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.
Ilott has been given the opportunity as part of his role in the Ferrari Academy and as a reward for his impressive form this season in Formula 2, where he sits second in the table with three victories.
“I am really looking forward to being in the car again in Abu Dhabi” said Ilott. “I am grateful to Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN and the Ferrari Driver Academy for this opportunity.
“Any chance to drive a Formula One car is important: it’s a way to grow my experience, not just in the cockpit, but also working with the team: the engineers and crew are among the best in the world and there is so much to learn from them, so I am going to make it count.”
The UNI-Virtuosi racer has previously driven for the team, enjoying a run in their car in 2019 at an in-season test at Barcelona. Ilott was supposed to drive for Haas in Free Practice 1 at the Eifel Grand Prix in Germany, although the session was cancelled because of poor weather conditions.
Alfa Romeo Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur added: “Callum is one of the most promising young drivers coming through the ranks, as his performance in F2 has shown this year.
"He was unlucky to miss out on a chance to show his ability last month, when FP1 was called off at the Nürburgring, so he thoroughly deserves his outing with the team in Abu Dhabi.
“His attitude and work ethic have left a very positive impression with the team when he tested with us last year and testing with him in Abu Dhabi is something we are really looking forward to.”