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Vice-champion of Formula 2 keeps F1 dream alive: 'Look at Tsunoda and Schumacher'

Vice-champion of Formula 2 keeps F1 dream alive: 'Look at Tsunoda and Schumacher'

03-06-2021 07:01 Last update: 08:46

GPblog.com

Callum Ilott narrowly missed out on a seat for the 2021 Formula One season, but the Brit still has every hope of making his F1 debut. One big advantage: guys he's beaten before are doing well in the premier class.

Ilott was much associated with the seats at Haas and Alfa Romeo last year and was also given a chance to test. As part of Ferrari's junior program, he is close to these teams, but an opportunity in F1 did not materialise. Ferrari pushed Mick Schumacher to Haas and stuck with Antonio Giovinazzi at Alfa Romeo.

Watching Tsunoda and Schumacher

So Ilott found himself without a seat, but he now sees others performing well. ''Yuki made a great impression in Bahrain. That was really good to see. It was good to be able to say, 'Look, this is what the one guy I finished above in the championship last year is capable of,'" Ilott says to Motorsport.com, about the young Tsunoda who finished behind him in the Formula 2 championship.

''As for Mick, we all know he often needs some time. But once he gets there, he gets there. You can already see that his speed is improving. I think they're doing a good job. It's just a matter of time before they find their feet, and then it becomes easier for me to say, 'Look, I'm the one who finished in between these two guys!'

F1 chance in 2022

Ilott is currently involved in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and is also getting several tests at Ferrari and Alfa Romeo where he is under contract as a reserve driver this year. Despite not having a seat in a formula car, the Brit is confident he has a chance of winning an F1 seat before 2022.

''So I'm still of the opinion that I'm in a very good position. Yes, I have to wait a year. And I've also seen people have to wait two years. But I'm just focusing on performing as well as I can in the GTs and during free practice, and then hopefully an opportunity will come along'', concludes the number two in the 2020 F2 championship.