Gilmour and co-driver Tanner Foust are in Sardinia for the seventh and eighth rounds of the all-electric Extreme E series.
They need to make a move in the penultimate round of the series as they are seventh in the championship standings, 65 points behind leaders Acciona Sainz XE.
The McLaren pair struggled at the first of two rounds in Sardinia earlier this year, failing to make the grand final on either day, and they will need to be switched on as a new course features rough soil with nearby rocks and vegetation.
"I’m really looking forward to returning to Sardinia this weekend," Gilmour said.
"After we didn’t have a strong event there previously, I feel like we have a point to prove this time around.
"At the last race, we learnt a lot and will be able to apply that. We want to have a strong end to the season and consistently fight for wins and podiums.
"I know Tanner is as revved up as I am to get back up on that podium and reward the whole team’s efforts over the season."
The race is held at an Italian Army training area at Capo Teulada, and there will be a strong military presence over the weekend.
McLaren Extreme E sporting director Gary Paffett hoped to see Gilmour and Foust shine in Sardinia.
"Our target, as always, is to finish on the podium, and the team have been working hard since the last round to help this happen.
"Compared to the last time out in Sardinia, the position of the start line has changed, and we are hoping to capitalise on this opportunity.
"Previously, our starts haven’t been great, but the car has pace and I have full confidence that we can finish stronger this time around."
Fans of the event will be eager for another glimpse of racing royalty.
Nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb, who won the season two Extreme E title with Lewis Hamilton’s Vida Carbon Racing, will be in the ABT Cupra team for the second time this season.
The final event of the Extreme E calendar is in Chile on December 2-3.
