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Ilott: Monaco "rebound" important after F1 test crash

Ferrari junior Callum Ilott says he felt it was important to rebound – after taking second in Formula 2 qualifying in Monaco – following his "weird" Alfa Romeo Formula 1 testing crash.

Callum Ilott, Sauber Junior Team by Charouz

Callum Ilott, Sauber Junior Team by Charouz

FIA Formula 2

Ilott is a rookie in Formula 2 with the Sauber Junior Team, having finished third in the GP3 Series in 2018.

After a tricky start to the season, Ilott became the second rookie to score a podium this year with third place in the Barcelona sprint race two weekends ago.

His front-row qualifying performance in Monaco is the best by a rookie in F2 this year so far.

Ilott got his first test in a Formula 1 car at the post-Spanish Grand Prix test in Barcelona last week following that F2 podium, and crashed the Alfa Romeo car at Turn 3, after impressing the team early on. 

“I did a good job in the morning, but the crash negates a lot of the good stuff,” Ilott told Motorsport.com. “That’s unfortunate. I can’t change it. 

“I wanted to come here and do a good job. I think from an outsider's perspective it’s good to have a real rebound.

“I think I had a turnaround last weekend when something just clicked [in the Barcelona F2 weekend]. 

“I’m disappointed it [the testing crash] happened, but whatever is done is done. I’m one of those guys who believes your biggest downs in life are your greatest lessons. 

“So that was a big down last week and in a lot of ways it taught me a big lesson. We’ll have to see, but this weekend I’ve come back very strong and continued my progression and learning. 

“I in no way wanted it to happen but it’s done now and I just have to keep on rising.”

The 20-year-old says there was more time to be made in his F2 qualifying lap, having topped his qualifying group by 0.007s ahead of fellow Ferrari junior Mick Schumacher.

When asked if he was happy with his performance as it is unusual for rookies to do well in Monaco, he replied: “I’m an unusual person in some ways. 

“I felt I prepared well for this event, and I have a lot of confidence on street circuits. I think I’ve continued that a little bit here. 

“I’m happy. It’s a fast car, you have to manipulate it a lot to make it work. 

“There were places I thought I could have braked later, but next year for sure if I come here I will do exactly that. 

“But I’m ahead of myself already I think in many ways. The target is just to go into a race, have a good start, good pitstops and do a good job.”

Callum Ilott, Sauber Junior Team by Charouz

Callum Ilott, Sauber Junior Team by Charouz

Photo by: FIA Formula 2

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