Home   Sport   Article

Ferrari Driver Academy star Callum Ilott puts F1 talk on the back burner as he focuses on F2 championship challenge




Callum Ilott is fully focused on his push for the FIA Formula Two title despite speculation linking him with a step up to the F1 ranks.

The UNI-Virtuosi Racing driver was unable to make the podium in the latest round in Barcelona at the weekend, but saw his lead at the top of the standings cut by only one point to 18.

Ilott, 21, was fastest in qualifying before finishing fifth and eighth in the feature and sprint races respectively.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 14: Pole position qualifier Callum Ilott of Great Britain and UNI-Virtuosi Racing celebrates in parc ferme during qualifying for the Formula 2 Championship at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on August 14, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Joe Portlock - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) (40757603)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 14: Pole position qualifier Callum Ilott of Great Britain and UNI-Virtuosi Racing celebrates in parc ferme during qualifying for the Formula 2 Championship at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on August 14, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Joe Portlock - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) (40757603)

PREMA Racing's Robert Shwartzman, who was second in the feature race, is now the former Bishop's Stortford College student's closest challenger after he leapfrogged ART Grand Prix's Christian Lundgaard, who ended up outside the points on both occasions.

When asked in the post-qualifying press conference if he was in negotiations about a possible upgrade to F1 for the 2021 campaign, Ilott said: ""Not yet, I'm still discussing with my own team in Formula 2 to try to make myself better.

"It's halfway through the season. Obviously I'm doing a good job so far, I'm not going to deny that, but nothing's started yet.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 15: Robert Shwartzman of Russia and Prema Racing (21), Callum Ilott of Great Britain and UNI-Virtuosi Racing (4) and Mick Schumacher of Germany and Prema Racing (20) battle for position at the start during the feature race of the Formula 2 Championship at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on August 15, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Mason - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) (40757600)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 15: Robert Shwartzman of Russia and Prema Racing (21), Callum Ilott of Great Britain and UNI-Virtuosi Racing (4) and Mick Schumacher of Germany and Prema Racing (20) battle for position at the start during the feature race of the Formula 2 Championship at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on August 15, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Mason - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) (40757600)

"We'll see. It would obviously be nice, but I've still got a job to do and hopefully that stuff will come later on."

The sixth round in Spain began well for Ilott. Trailing his closest championship rival heading into the final qualifying run on fresh tyres and under pressure, he delivered the extra four points awarded for pole position – his second in a row after a pole and a win at Silverstone last time out.

It was an innovative strategy from the UNI-Virtuosi team as it sent Ilott out early for his last runs, and the Ferrari Academy Driver sat in the pits at the end as others failed to beat his best time.

Ilott looked certain to seal his third victory of the year for much of the feature race, but ended up in fifth following a chaotic climax. A late safety car period forced a number of the grid to pit for a second time, including Ilott, and Nobuharu Matsushita was able to win his first race of the season in incredible fashion, rising all the way from 18th to first, thanks in part to some clever strategic work from MP Motorsport.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 14: Pole position qualifier Callum Ilott of Great Britain and UNI-Virtuosi Racing talks in a press conference after qualifying for the Formula 2 Championship at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on August 14, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) (40757596)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 14: Pole position qualifier Callum Ilott of Great Britain and UNI-Virtuosi Racing talks in a press conference after qualifying for the Formula 2 Championship at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on August 14, 2020 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Dan Istitene - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) (40757596)

Felipe Drugovich then completed a double for MP Motorsport by dominating the sprint race, securing a nine-second margin of victory ahead of Luca Ghiotto.

Mick Schumacher had a mixed start to the race, initially challenging for the lead before falling to fourth, then forcing his way ahead of Ilott for his fourth podium of the season. Despite heavy tyre degradation, Ilott was able to cling on to eighth and the final points position.

Ilott and the rest of the F2 competitors have this weekend off before the seventh of 10 rounds takes place at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on August 28-30.

"There's definitely a lot for us to look at and work on before we head to Spa as we just didn't get it right as a team this weekend and were caught out by the tyre degradation," said Ilott.

"I still managed to keep the lead in the title fight and maintain the gap, so I can't be too disappointed with how my weekend went."



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More