Callum Benjamin Ilott Bio
Callum Benjamin Ilott is a British racing driver born on November 11, 1998, in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. He currently competes in the IndyCar Series, driving the No. 90 Dallara-Chevrolet for Prema Racing. Ilott has also competed in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship in the Hypercar category for Jota Sport. He was the runner-up in the 2020 Formula 2 Championship and has been a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy.
Early Life and Background
Ilott grew up in Cambridge, England. His parents encouraged him to try various sports including football, cricket, rugby, and tennis during his childhood. His interest in racing began after attending a friend’s birthday party at a go-kart track. Ilott started karting in 2008 and quickly showed promise by winning the Formula Kart Stars in 2011 and finishing third in the German Junior Karting Championship in the KF3 category. He continued to excel in karting, winning several prestigious series such as the WSK Masters Series and the CIK-FIA European Championship.
Path to NASCAR
While Ilott’s career has focused on open-wheel and endurance racing rather than NASCAR, his progression through karting and junior formulae laid the foundation for his professional racing career. He advanced through the ranks by competing in series like the Toyota Racing Series, FIA Formula 3 European Championship, GP3 Series, and ultimately Formula 2. His consistent performances and association with the Ferrari Driver Academy helped him gain opportunities in higher-profile racing categories.
Callum Benjamin Ilott Career
Early Career (2008–2016)
Ilott began karting in 2008 and quickly achieved success, including multiple wins and podiums in international karting championships. He made his single-seater debut in 2015 in the Toyota Racing Series with ETEC Motorsport, finishing sixteenth overall but showing strong pace in qualifying and practice sessions. In the same year, he stepped up to the FIA European Formula 3 Championship with Carlin, finishing twelfth overall and seventh in the Rookie Championship. In 2016, Ilott joined Van Amersfoort Racing for the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, securing his first victories and finishing sixth in the standings.
Formula 3 and GP3 Breakthrough (2017–2018)
In 2017, Ilott moved to Prema Powerteam in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, winning six races and finishing fourth in the driver standings. His performances helped Prema secure the Teams’ championship. In 2018, he competed in the GP3 Series with ART Grand Prix, finishing third overall with seven podiums and two wins. These results established Ilott as a promising talent in open-wheel racing.
Formula 2 and Formula One Involvement (2017–2021)
Ilott made his Formula 2 debut in 2017 with Trident and raced full-time in 2019 and 2020. In 2020, driving for UNI-Virtuosi Racing and remaining part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, he secured three wins, five poles, and six podiums, finishing runner-up to Mick Schumacher in the championship. Ilott gained experience in Formula One as a test driver for Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, participating in in-season tests and serving as a reserve driver. He appeared in practice sessions for Alfa Romeo during the 2021 season and was Alfa Romeo’s second reserve driver in 2021 and 2022.
Sports Car and Endurance Racing (2021–2024)
In 2021, Ilott joined Iron Lynx to compete in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, driving a Ferrari 488 GT3. He made his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut that year, achieving a podium finish in the GTE Am class. In 2024, Ilott competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Jota Sport in the Hypercar category. The team secured their maiden top-class podium in Qatar and their first Hypercar win at Spa-Francorchamps. Despite some setbacks including crashes and mechanical issues, Ilott contributed to Jota winning the FIA World Cup title for privateer teams that season.
IndyCar Series and Current Team Era (2021–Present)
Ilott joined Juncos Hollinger Racing for the final races of the 2021 IndyCar Series and raced full-time with them in 2022 and 2023. He achieved his best IndyCar finish of fifth place at the 2023 Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and the season finale at Laguna Seca. Ilott faced challenges including a broken hand from a crash at the Indianapolis 500 and team difficulties but showed resilience and strong racecraft. In late 2023, Ilott and Juncos Hollinger Racing mutually parted ways. For the 2025 season, Ilott signed with Prema Racing to compete full-time in IndyCar, partnering with Robert Shwartzman as part of Prema’s newly established IndyCar program.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ilott is known for his speed in qualifying and strong racecraft, particularly on road and street circuits. He has demonstrated adaptability across various racing disciplines including open-wheel, endurance, and sports car racing. His strategic approach and ability to work closely with his teams and engineers have contributed to his consistent performances and podium finishes.
Notable Races and Milestones
Key milestones in Ilott’s career include finishing runner-up in the 2020 Formula 2 Championship, his podium finish at the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans, and his first Hypercar class win at Spa-Francorchamps in 2024. In IndyCar, his fifth-place finishes in 2023 mark his best results to date, showcasing his growth in the series.
Callum Benjamin Ilott Career Wins
Throughout his career, Ilott has secured multiple wins across junior formulae and endurance racing. His victories include race wins in FIA Formula 3 European Championship, GP3 Series, Formula 2, and the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar category.
Formula 2 Highlights
Ilott achieved three wins in the 2020 Formula 2 season, including his first victory at the Red Bull Ring. He also earned five pole positions and six podiums that year, finishing second in the championship behind Mick Schumacher.
Other Wins & Performances
In endurance racing, Ilott earned his first Hypercar class win with Jota Sport at Spa-Francorchamps in 2024. He also achieved a podium finish in the GTE Am class at the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the GP3 Series, he secured two wins and seven podiums in 2018.
Callum Benjamin Ilott Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Ilott’s family background and parents are not publicly documented. His early interest in racing was supported by his parents who encouraged him to participate in various sports during his childhood.
Personal Life
There is no publicly available information regarding Ilott’s marital status or children. He maintains a professional focus on his racing career.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2025 IndyCar season, Callum Ilott will race full-time with Prema Racing, joining their newly formed IndyCar program. Partnered with Robert Shwartzman, Ilott aims to build on his previous experience and results to compete strongly in the series. Prema Racing’s entry into IndyCar is a fresh initiative, and Ilott’s role will be pivotal in establishing the team’s presence. Expectations include further development of his racecraft and potential for podium finishes as the team gains experience in the championship.
