Written by Dan Jones
PREMA have announced that they will re-unite with Callum Ilott in 2025 as they embark on their maiden foray in IndyCar. Ilott returns to the series after a year out.
Ilott, who split with Juncos Hollinger Racing at the end of the 2023 season, returns full-time after racing for Jota Team Porsche in the World Endurance Championship in 2024, taking a victory in the 6 Hours of Spa and eighth in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
"It’s an incredible opportunity to experience IndyCar with PREMA, their first steps in the series and in the US," Ilott said. "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."
There was a brief IndyCar return for Ilott in 2024 as he replaced the injury-struck David Malukas at Arrow McLaren, finishing 11th in the season opener on the Streets of St. Petersburg and 11th at the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. He also competed in the non-championship challenge at The Thermal Club.
Ilott raced for the team in 2017 in the FIA F3 European Championship, claiming six victories on his way to fourth in the standings, with an impressive 10 pole positions. Ilott would finish 15th at that year's Macau Grand Prix with the team.
"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Callum back with us for this new chapter of our history," team owner Rene Rosin said. "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."
Ilott joins PREMA as they embark on their new IndyCar project under the guise of Piers Phillips as CEO of its IndyCar team. Upon the announcement, Phillips said: "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.
"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."
This is PREMA's first official driver announcement since the news that they would be joining the series in 2025. The team is yet to announce driver of its second seat.
Rosin stated the following about their driver line-up in PREMA's initial annonucement: “Our ideal line-up would be made of an experienced driver and a quick rookie. Of course, we will also have to take into consideration the drivers’ market and make the best possible choice for the Team."
Ilott fulfills the quick, experienced driver role having competed in two full seasons in the series, as well as five further races across 2021 and 2024.
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