This year is a rookie season in IndyCar for both Callum Ilott and his team Juncos Hollinger Racing. Both had done a couple races before, but neither had competed in a full schedule of the premiere series before this season.
That has made for an uphill climb as they learn all the details needed to be competitive, and has solidified the team’s decision to expand to two cars.
Many small teams enter technical partnerships with other large teams to obtain this additional perspective, but JHR has been largely on its own throughout the year.
A second entry has not yet been announced by the team, but it is seen as a near certainty and Ilott has revealed that his expertise is being used to make many of the decision involved in the expansion, including which driver to put behind the wheel.
“They will confirm [a second car], but the idea is to run two cars next year,” said Ilott to Motorsportweek.com, all but confirming the team’s intention.
“Because I’ve been there from day one, I am involved in the discussions of what we will do and what the plan is. I’ve been very keen on being part of the team build, whether it’s in personnel or drivers.
“So yeah, I offer my input and thoughts. There’s always compromises, but we’ve got to make the team the best in can be.
“I would rather get the person that benefits everything as a whole. Of course, I could learn a few more things from an experienced guy, but you’ve got to look at everything as one and get the best situation out of it.
“There’s not many drivers faster than me. So ‘good luck’ I say.”
That final quip aside, Ilott is quite confident that having a second car will help extract more pace as the two drivers will be able to feed off each other throughout each weekend.
Racing in a one-car team has been a significant disadvantage for the young Briton throughout the season, and a second point of reference for both driver and team is almost always helpful to have.
Looking back, the 23-year-old former F2 driver feels that he would have benefitted from having a team-mate in his rookie season more than he will next year.
“I think it would have been massive this year having an experienced team-mate just to direct me and direct the team in some areas,” continued Ilott. “I think we did a great job anyway with the way we were.
“The benefit next year will be more for the team than for me. Obviously if I can get an experienced guy and learn on the areas I haven’t been able to learn, that would be great. It would have been interesting.
“For the team, I think it’s great to have something to compare to, because right now it’s asking me ‘what do you think?’ And that’s it.”
