Former Ferrari F1 test driver set to drive for Arrow McLaren in Indy 500

Callum Ilott will have the opportunity to compete in his third Indy 500 after being chosen by Arrow McLaren to drive the No. 6 car. 

The team is familiar with the former Ferrari F1 test driver, as he competed at the season opener at St. Pete and the $1 Million Dollar Challenge at The Thermal Club. 

The British driver drove to victory at Spa last weekend in the World Endurance Championship alongside Will Stevens. He will surely be full of confidence heading into practice for the 108th Running of the Indy 500 starting on Tuesday.

Ilott has a mixed record at the Brickyard, crashing on Turn 2 on his debut in 2022 for Juncos Hollinger Racing, an incident that sidelined him for the next race in Detroit.

Last year, he battled to 12th from 27th place on the grid, a very impressive performance.

“It is any driver’s dream to race in the Indianapolis 500, and I’d like to extend a thank you to Zak (Brown), Gavin (Ward) and Tony (Kanaan) for making this happen,” Ilott said, via indycar.com.

“I’m grateful to step into this race with a familiar car and a familiar team now in Arrow McLaren. While our April Open Test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was shortened by weather, the runs we did have were productive.

“I feel comfortable with the team and know that we can come together throughout the Month of May to put our best foot forward come Race Day.”

The Arrow McLaren driver competed in two seasons of IndyCar with JHR and raced on several ovals. Ilott finished ninth at Texas Motor Speedway in 2023, which should provide critical experience during the month of May.

Practice for the Indy 500 will kick off on May 14, with four days of running leading up to qualifying on Saturday and Sunday.

Ilott will be hoping to avoid the agony of Bump Day on Sunday. With 34 entries for the 33-car field, one car will suffer the dejection of not being able to race at Indianapolis.

Two more days of practice, including the traditional Carb Day and Pit Stop Challenge, will take place before the race.

Ilott will drive for Arrow McLaren alongside Pato O'Ward and Alexander Rossi, who won the 100th Running of the Indy 500 in 2016.