How Aston Martin revived Jak Crawford's Formula 1 dream

Crawford spent years as part of Red Bull Racing’s junior program but ultimately decided to step away because he felt he was being pushed to take big steps too quickly in his career. In hindsight, it proved to be the right choice for him, although at the time he doubted he would still be able to land at another F1 team.

“It was an interesting moment in my career. When I left Red Bull, I actually thought I would probably never be part of a Formula 1 team again. Then Aston Martin came along and signed me as a development driver,” he begins.

According to Crawford, that move worked out well in the end. “It’s been great. I’ve been able to prove myself in the simulator and with the work I’ve done there. That then gave me the opportunity to become the team’s reserve driver. After a lot of testing for the team and good results in Formula 2, it feels like I’ve really taken a step forward. Now I’m working towards a full-time race seat,” the Aston Martin driver explains.

It’s well known that the pressure at Red Bull is high, especially for junior drivers who still have to prove themselves. The American believes that the absence of the pressure that often comes with a large junior program actually helped his development.

“Absolutely,” he replies when asked. “Over the past two years, there really hasn’t been any real pressure on my results. Of course you always put pressure on yourself because you want to be champion, but from the team there wasn’t that pressure. That allowed me to just be myself and race.”

Crawford has no doubt that he’s now ready to make the step to Formula 1. The Aston Martin reserve driver hopes that opportunity comes with his current employer but does not rule out a move to another team.

“I absolutely feel ready. At the end of my Formula 2 career I was driving at a very high level, and in my current role I also feel like I perform well every time I get in the car.” His goal is clear: “Of course I would love to race for Aston Martin. That would be a dream. But at this point, I would actually accept almost any offer if it gets me a race seat in Formula 1.”

In the same interview with GPblog, Crawford also spoke about Max Verstappen. The American called the four-time world champion his big role model during his early years in Formula 3 and Formula 2 and also said that during the COVID period he regularly sim-raced against the Dutchman. These days, the two mostly run into each other in the Formula 1 paddock.