Callum Ilott will contest his fifth Macau Grand Prix when he takes to the famous Guia Circuit next month (14-17 November), with the Ferrari junior chasing a maiden overall success.

Despite graduating to the FIA Formula 2 Championship for the 2019 season, the SAUBER JUNIOR TEAM BY CHAROUZ driver is returning to F3 machinery for another attempt at winning one of the world’s most prestigious motorsport events.

We caught up with the talented young Briton as he prepares to contest the 66th running of the Macau Grand Prix…

You are coming back to Macau for the 2019 race, what is it about this event that inspires you to keep coming back?

“Well, firstly it's because I haven't won it yet and I've always been very close to achieving that. I think it’s also the fact that the track is as challenging as it gets – it's a real thrill and an amazing feeling just to drive around it. Also, the whole trip is quite nice, being able to go out that far and enjoy the scenery before the event gets underway. It’s just a great event.”

Will it be all-out attack to win the main race this time around?

“The last few years I've qualified in the top three so I’ve always been fast at Macau. I've also finished on the podium in the qualifying race for the last three years, and I think people sometimes forget that. I’ve just got to do the job in the main race this time. I've been at the sharp end every year, so there's no excuse not to this time around.”

Who do you see as your biggest challengers for victory on this year’s grid?

“The biggest threat… there's a few. The Prema guys are quick obviously and then you’ve got Dan (Ticktum), who won in Macau the last two years. He’ll be quick for sure, but with a new car, it's always difficult. There are a couple of others too, but I think we have a very good chance and obviously I've been strong there previously. I think the team has a good idea of what to do with the car, so it should be an interesting challenge for us.”

Describe the track itself and the challenges it poses?

“Well, there's three main parts to it; you've got the main straight that just goes on and on and on, which is the real challenging part of the race for the slipstreaming and getting that right for the overtaking. Then you've got the mountain section, which is just incredibly tricky, tight and twisty, where even a small mistake can have a big impact on your momentum. Then you have the last two corners – the two high speed corners – which are very challenging. Oversteer is a factor there due to the higher rear temperature, meaning it’s very easy to be in the wall if you push a bit too much.”

What are your experiences of the new F3 car and do you believe this puts you at a disadvantage to the regular season F3 drivers?

“My experience of the new F3 car is zero, but I have driven the GP3 car which is as close as it gets to the new Formula 3 car. We'll see, it'll be difficult, but I adapt very quickly so I should be alright and hopefully won't struggle too much. It is a little bit of a disadvantage compared to the guys who’ve been driving it all year, but hopefully I can get straight on it and do a good job.”

Finally, what would it mean to win the Macau GP?

“It is something I've been trying to achieve the last four and a half years, so to win in Macau would be an amazing feeling. In 2017, I really should have won it, it was a silly mistake on the straight. So, I should have a win already, and people kind of forget that, winning would prove that I'm one of the best contenders at Macau. I've always been up there in every session so hopefully it's only a matter of time.”