Jak Crawford Eyes 2027 as Best Chance for F1 Breakthrough

Aston Martin reserve driver Jak Crawford believes the 2027 season represents his most realistic opportunity to secure a Formula 1 race seat. After missing out on a drive with the incoming Cadillac team, the Formula 2 runner-up is prepared to sit out the 2026 season to focus entirely on his development within the Silverstone outfit, aiming to follow a path similar to Oscar Piastri’s.

Why it matters:

The transition from junior formulas to the top tier of motorsport is notoriously difficult, and spending a year on the sidelines carries significant risks. While a reserve role can keep a driver relevant, as seen with Felipe Drugovich’s eventual departure to Formula E, Crawford is betting that total immersion in an F1 team's environment will better prepare him for a race debut than competing in other series.

The details:

• Cadillac Setback: Crawford held talks with the General Motors-backed team for 2026, but the organization opted for experience over youth, signing veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
• The Piastri Blueprint: Crawford plans to emulate Oscar Piastri, who took a year off racing after his F2 title to serve as a reserve driver before landing a seat at McLaren. Crawford argues that being present in the paddock keeps his name in circulation and maintains his visibility to key decision-makers.
• Strategic Focus: Rather than splitting his attention between Formula 2 or Formula E, Crawford will dedicate his 2026 season solely to Aston Martin's F1 program. He believes that maximizing simulator time, track testing, and engineering collaboration provides superior preparation compared to racing in lower categories.

Looking ahead:

Despite the inherent anxiety of not having a guaranteed race seat, Crawford remains confident that his performance in the reserve role will generate future opportunities. He views 2027 as the window where his preparation and the market alignment will finally offer him a clear path to the grid.