Juncos Hollinger Racing announced on Thursday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that Callum Ilott who joined the team for the final three races of 2021 and the entirety of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series will remain with the team in 2023 and beyond.
Team co-owner Brad Hollinger said that the switch from F1 to IndyCar has been fantastic and he is delighted to have Callum back they are very excited about where the team is at and that they are really thrilled.
Callum Ilott said that they have been improving a lot and Iowa was good and strong and they will get the most out of the paddock he is super excited for the future and show what the little powerhouse team can do.
It is a tough start to come into IndyCar but I enjoy the friendly nature of the NTT IndyCar Series and I want to help it become of the best series in the world which is what it should be.
Ricardo Juncos said that he is very happy now compared to where they were in 2017 with two cars at the Indianapolis 500. Speaking about the news, Ilott said:
“After seeing the results that we have been able to put forward at JHR for most of the year and the work that has been going on in the background by Ricardo and Brad to improve for the years beyond, made sense to continue with the team and keep building. “The potential that we have shown as a one car team can only get better as we grow and expand this program. I am super happy to continue working with all the team members at JHR, we have created a great foundation together this season. The effort that everyone puts in and the working environment that they have is amazing. From where we started at a year ago, to where we are now, I am confident that we will find more success together.”
“Back in 2021, I took my time to choose our NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver from a list of five drivers. “Even when Callum was not on the radar for most of the teams here in the states, I knew he was the perfect fit for our team. Not only for his potential as a driver, but his personality and his desire to win which aligns with our team philosophy. Today, almost a year later, I’m happy to confirm Callum’s continuation with the team for long term. From the last three races during the 2021 season and the great results we have had so far this year, shows we were right in choosing him as our driver. Together with our new members of JHR, we have proven so much in a short time, which is incredible with the caliber of drivers and teams currently in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. This is just the beginning of a new era at JHR and I’m looking forward to continuing our work with Callum and to the results we know we can receive together as a team.”
“Callum is a supremely talented young driver who beyond his driving skills and technical feedback, possesses the character and passion required to be a champion. “He is a very quick study, having learned with exceptional speed how to exact the best from the car. His team rapport is excellent and public speaking shows he is a natural media talent as well. We could not be more excited to have Callum drive for and represent JHR. He is a rare combination of raw talent, intelligence, and maturity.”
Ilott has confirmed that he is happy and wants a career in the NTT IndyCar Series but he has confirmed that he remains part of Ferrari’s Formula One program.
Ricardo Juncos says that the team are working hard to get a second car on the grid but that they want to ensure that they are in the strongest position possible because if they don’t it can jeopardize the program.
Speaking to Paddock Eye during a press conference in making the announcement, team co-owner Brad Hollinger said that moving over to IndyCar from Formula One has been great as it is far more open in terms of teams willing to help each other out and that everything is equal in that if you put Lewis Hamilton in a Williams he would be towards the back but that in IndyCar, even as a one-car team with Ilott the team has been able to compete inside the top ten and that just shows the level of competition in the sport.
Ricardo Juncos told us that the continuity of having Ilott with the team again next season is extremely beneficial to the team as Ilott knows the team and will have been at the tracks before just like this weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
Callum Ilott told us that he is excited to have a long term contract in place with Juncos Hollinger Racing from next season as they continue to improve and move forward.
Ricardo Juncos confirmed that they entered the 2022 season seeking a technical partnership but he feels that they will just continue doing their own thing and he is happy doing that and going it alone and as he sees it there is no existing team that he would like to align with.