The Italian outlet has just announced the first driver to join their brand new IndyCar campaign. Callum Ilott will partner up again with Prema for the second time in his career, following a positive season in Formula 3 in 2017, when he had achieved an impressive tally of 6 wins for fourth overall in the drivers’standings.
It’s a return for the British driver in the top American single seaters championship. He has spent two full seasons with Juncos Hollinger Racing and three rounds with Arrow McLaren earlier this year, replacing David Malukas at St Petersburg, Thermal and for the 500.
Over the span of his 38 IndyCar starts Ilott has reached twice a best finish of P5, and he will definitely bring his deep knowledge of Chevrolet engines to the newborn team. He was extremely pleased to announce his signing, as he said:
“It’s an incredible opportunity to experience INDYCAR with PREMA, their first steps in the series and in the US. What an amazing chance. I love the racing, I love these cars and I love the team, so it’s great to be back to what they call the Italian family home.”
“It’s going to be something special to build off, a lot of hard work but I’m excited to join the team and see what we can do together,” concluded Ilott, who is competing in WEC with Jota in the current season, having achieved a race win in the 6H of Spa-Francorchamps.
Team Owner René Rosin was also elated to partner again with the young talent, highlighting the importance of his previous experience as well as of his on track performances:
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Callum back with us for this new chapter of our history. We had a great time working with him in Formula 3, and we always kept an eye on him after that. He proved to be a great fit for us in the past, and I think he will feel like picking up something he had left off.”
“He proved his outstanding speed skills everywhere he competed. In addition, his prior IndyCar experience will be an invaluable asset. Now that the opportunity to get back together has come, we are determined to make the most out of it.”
CEO of Prema Racing Piers Phillips commented on the signing as well: “We are really looking forward to welcoming Callum to our INDYCAR team. His previous experiences in the series, combined with those with PREMA, will make him a key asset as we try to merge the team’s European heritage with what it will be able to learn in the US.”
Joining a new championship will definitely be a challenge for the successful Italian team, but they’re not afraid to embark on this new American journey, especially with the assistance of such a trusted and cherished driver:
“We know Callum as a very talented driver, but we can also see how his professionalism has matured in the series. The information and feedback he will be able to share will be extremely important, as much as his impressive racing skills.”
