Aston Martin F1 Junior Jak Crawford to Make FP1 Debut in Mexico

Aston Martin has confirmed that American Formula 2 talent Jak Crawford will make his official Formula 1 weekend debut at the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix, stepping into Lance Stroll’s AMR25 for the opening free practice session. This marks a significant moment for the 19-year-old Texan and underscores F1’s increasing focus on nurturing young American drivers.

Why it matters:

• Crawford’s FP1 debut highlights Aston Martin’s commitment to its driver development program and its strategy to integrate promising young talent into its F1 operations.
• This move further solidifies F1’s growing presence and interest in the American market, aligning with the sport’s broader goal of expanding its fanbase and talent pool in the United States.

The Details:

• Jak Crawford, currently second in the FIA F2 Championship standings with DAMS, will drive the AMR25 during FP1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
• This will be his first official appearance in an F1 session.
• Extensive Team Experience: Crawford has already accumulated over 2,000km of testing with Aston Martin, driving the AMR22, AMR23, and AMR24 cars. He also participated in last year’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
• Team Principal’s Endorsement: Andy Cowell, Aston Martin’s team principal, praised Crawford’s maturity, technical feedback, and contributions to the development of the AMR25 and AMR26, calling the FP1 run a reward for his efforts.

Looking Ahead:

Crawford’s FP1 outing is more than just a debut; it's a strategic step in his potential path to a full-time F1 seat. With his strong F2 season and increasing involvement in Aston Martin's development work, this opportunity serves as a crucial evaluation and development milestone.

• The team views these sessions as vital for developing young talent and gathering valuable data for future car iterations.
• As F1 continues to embrace American talent, Crawford stands out as a strong candidate, with his performance in Mexico potentially bolstering his case for a more prominent role within the sport.