The Arrow McLaren IndyCar team will get its first look at the driving skills and technical feedback of Callum Ilott, who will step in and test on behalf of the recently-injured David Malukas.
Ilott will join the team on Wednesday, February 21 as part of its driver rotation for this week’s hybrid engine test at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
“Obviously I feel sorry for David and the team,” Ilott said. “It’s not easy to be in this position, especially just ahead of the start of the season. I wish him the best and a speedy recovery. I’m glad I’m able to help out the team, and it’s a privilege to test this week with Arrow McLaren. I’m thankful they’re considering me for the opportunity.”
The team’s chance to sample Ilott follows a biking accident for Malukas that required surgery to his wrist and comes with a recovery period that will rule him out from racing in IndyCar’s season-opener at St Petersburg on March 10. After this week’s hybrid test, all teams will head to Sebring International Raceway next week for a two-day test where every full-time entry is expected to be in action.
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With the possibility of having one or two seats to fill heading into 2025, the Arrow McLaren team was looking forward to learning more about Ilott through the strategic alliance it formed during the offseason with Juncos Hollinger Racing, where Ilott started his IndyCar journey late in 2021. But with Ilott’s departure late last year, that opportunity went away until the situation arose with Malukas.
Due to the timing of the split with JHR, Ilott was unable to find a paying seat in IndyCar, and as a result, he accepted a full-season offer to compete in a hybrid Porsche 963 prototype with the Jota Team Hertz program in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Ilott’s WEC duties will ramp up this weekend as he is due to test in Qatar at the official Prologue event across Feb. 24-25.
Making the Feb. 26-27 test at Sebring in place of Malukas would be a logistical hurdle for Ilott due to his obligations with Jota, but he could get the nod to race for the team at St. Petersburg, which takes place one week after the WEC race in Qatar. The team will make its decision on who will drive the No. 6 Chevy at a later date.
“We all wish David a speedy recovery, and we’re working out some options with the Arrow McLaren Chevrolet crew in the meantime,” said team principal Gavin Ward. “Callum had a seat fit last week and will test with us in Homestead, and we’re looking forward to working with him this week. Then, hopefully we’ll be able to confirm our roster for St. Pete soon after.”