Ilott joins Van Amersfoort for 2016 F3 campaign
Callum Ilott will switch to Van Amersfoort Racing for his sophomore campaign in the European Formula 3 championship this year.
Photo by: FIA F3 / Suer
The 17-year-old moves over from Carlin, where he spent his rookie season in cars in 2015 - graduating directly from karts after having become CIK-FIA European champion in the KF class the year before.
Despite his lack of experience, Ilott finished the F3 season 12th in the standings - third-highest of Carlin's six-car line-up - although this was not enough for him to retain his Red Bull backing.
He also secured a maiden podium finish during the penultimate round of the season at the Nurburgring.
“Callum was on our radar from the very first pre-season test," said team boss Frits van Amersfoort.
"The transition from go-kart to single-seater worked very well for him, despite his young age. He was also the only one of 35 drivers to finish all 33 races of the championship.
"During the first test with us in early November, Callum already showed true racing spirit. Our main goal will be to help him in his ambition to be a regular frontrunner during his second season."
Ilott joins Pedro Piquet at Van Amersfoort, who was unveiled as the Dutch outfit's first driver last November. A third driver is expected to be announced at the team next week.
Red Bull, having dropped Ilott from its junior scheme, will be backing Motopark duo Niko Kari and Sergio Sette Camara for the 2016 season.
2016 European F3 line-up so far
| Team | Drivers |
| Prema Powerteam |
|
 Ralf Aron |
|
 Maximilian Gunther |
|
| Van Amersfoort Racing |  Pedro Piquet |
 Callum Ilott |
|
| Carlin |  Ryan Tveter |
| Mucke Motorsport | David Beckmann |
| Motopark |  Niko Kari |
| Sergio Sette Camara |
|
| Hitech GP |
|
|
|
|
| T-Sport |  Arjun Maini |
Lance Stroll
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