Ilott finished second in last year’s Formula 2 championship behind Mick Schumacher, a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, but said he would not return to the category.
Ferrari announced in December that Ilott would act as test driver in 2021 and will have some F1-free practice sessions this year.
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Six of the eight members of the Ferrari Driver Academy were in Maranello this morning to officially launch the 2021 program. Ferrari announced further plans for its members.
As part of the announcement, Ferrari said that Ilott “will be on the ground and will be present at several races” in F1 this year before announcing that he will also make some sports car appearances.
“The young Cambridge man will still enjoy the thrill of the race as he will also be participating in a GT program behind the wheel of a Ferrari for some of the most famous sports car races,” said Ferrari.
Ilott has not yet driven in sports cars, but he would not be the first youngster with Ferrari support to dip his toes in GT races. Antonio Giovinazzi joined GTE Pro’s AF Corse line-up at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2018, before moving to Formula 1 with Alfa Romeo a year later.
Ferrari has already announced its four year-round drivers for the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2021, although a third place in its No. 51 for Le Mans is still vacant.
Ferrari will remain present in F2 through Robert Shwartzman and Marcus Armstrong, who are both returning for their second season in this category.
Shwartzman has “set a clear goal for himself to win the title” with Prema, while Armstrong has moved to DAMS and “is more determined than ever to be the front runner”.
Arthur Leclerc – the younger brother of Ferrari F1 driver Charles – will switch to FIA Formula 3 this year, while Dino Beganovic will move into the Formula Regional Championship in 2021.
Maya Weug and James Wharton both joined the FDA this year. Weug was selected after winning the FIA Girls on Track program and will continue in F4, while Wharton will stay in the kart before moving to the single-seaters in the future.
“We have always said that the FDA is not just a school that has to help the best youngsters make it into Formula 1, but above all that it has to train those who will one day become the standard bearers for Scuderia Ferrari in the top Category will be. ” of motorsport, “said Ferrari F1 team boss Mattia Binotto.
“We achieved that with Charles Leclerc and we are delighted that another driver, Mick Schumacher, who grew up with us, will also make his F1 debut this year.
“Aside from the familiar names of Callum, Robert, Marcus, Arthur and Dino, which are listed in order of age, I am delighted to welcome two new students, Maya Weug and James Wharton, to the Academy this year The arrival is important as it also validates the efforts we are making to make motorsport more inclusive.
“I wish everyone the best of luck and hope they will make progress and be successful this season that they should approach with humility, determination and a desire to learn, without ever forgetting that they are following their dream.”
Ferrari has also confirmed Enzo Fittipaldi’s exit from its program after moving to the US in 2021, where he will compete in the Indy Pro 2000.
