Callum Ilott will return to IndyCar for the 2025 season with PREMA, and the team will make its debut in the championship.
The British driver has already competed in IndyCar for two full seasons for Juncos Hollinger Racing but left the team at the end of the 2023 campaign.
Ilott never stood on the podium during his stint at JHR but finished fifth twice while racing for one of the smaller teams on the grid.
He raced for Porsche in the World Endurance Championship this year after leaving single-seater racing and took victory at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
Returning to IndyCar next year, he will drive one of PREMA‘s two Chevrolet-powered cars and his teammate is yet to be announced.
Tiff Needell is pleased to see Ilott returning to North America next season. He said he is a fan of his laid-back nature when talking on the Lovecars On the Grid YouTube channel.
Tiff Needell explained IndyCar driver Callum Ilott is a ‘wonderful casual character’
Ilott had a very impressive junior career, he was backed by the Ferrari Academy and ascended the ladder towards Formula 1 but failed to make it to the highest level.
He finished second in Formula 2 in 2020 but was overlooked for a seat in F1 for the following season. He then went on to compete in WEC and IndyCar.
The 25-year-old was on the verge of making it to F1 and competed in multiple first practice sessions on race weekends.
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Needell is looking forward to seeing Ilott’s return to IndyCar and explained he made very few errors in his junior career.
He said: “I’m delighted. One of those talents didn’t quite make it to Formula 1. He was a Formula 2 star in Formula 3 and did everything he should do.
“Of course, has raced an IndyCar for a couple of seasons. A wonderful casual character. He doesn’t get too anal with his interviews. He laughs and jokes. ‘That was a bit of a shame I crashed the car.’
Callum Ilott’s teammate at PREMA is yet to be announced ahead of the 2025 IndyCar season
Ilott should easily get up to speed at PREMA next season, having raced with the Italian team in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
The British driver’s experience racing in IndyCar will help the team adjust to North American conditions, but his teammate is unknown.
Some promising drivers are in contention to partner with Ilott, including Swedish driver Linus Lundqvist, who may leave Chips Ganassi Racing.
It may be a difficult start for PREMA, with just two cars battling against more experienced teams such as Team Penske and Arrow Mclaren.