Ilott plans to 'immerse' himself in F1 in 2021

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Ferrari test driver Callum Ilott says he plans to fully immerse himself in Formula 1 in 2021, which is expected to include a number of free practice outings on Friday morning.

Ilott was commenting after taking part in a private test session at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit at the end of January which saw him complete more than 50 laps behind the wheel of a 2018 Ferrari SF71H

“This was a good start to the year to get a bit more experience with the team and understand a bit more the working environment within F1," said the 22-year-old British driver from Cambridge.

Read also: Ilott rounds off week of testing for Ferrari

"It was a great feeling and a great experience to get refreshed, back in a proper car,” he added. "Hopefully by the pre-season tests I can be as immersed as possible in this Ferrari F1 world."

As part of that immersion, Ilott will finally get a chance to take part in a number of Friday free practice sessions in 2021.

He had originally been expected to take part in FP1 with Haas during the Eifel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, but the day was completely washed out.

Following that disappointment, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto said that Ilott will now make a number of FP1 appearances this year.

"Callum Ilott, who will be our test driver, will do simulator, and will do free practices," he told the media. However it's not clear whether those outings will be at the wheel of a Ferrari or an Alfa Romeo.

©Ferrari

Ilott said that he will be focusing on F1 this year rather than trying to combine his test and reserve role at Maranello with a full time campaign in another series.

He was runner-up in last year's Formula 2 championship which was won by fellow Ferrari Driver Academy member Mick Schumacher, who will race full time in F1 this season with Haas.

“Part of me would love to do it again,” he said when asked if he would consider a return to F2. "[But] I feel like if you are in the top three or top two, you shouldn’t have to prove yourself again.

“You have got to strive for the top and that’s my new challenge. It is not going to be easy, but I have got time to do it.

"More than likely, I will be in the F1 paddock for almost all of the races, so if someone is ill or has an injury – which, touch wood, doesn’t happen - then I am sure that I would get a call at some stage. But I don't wish that on anyone.”

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.