Photo: Aston Martin F1
Jak Crawford has been signed by the Aston Martin Formula 1 team as one of its junior drivers for 2024.
The 18-year-old American was a Red Bull junior from 2020 to 2023, and during that time he was runner-up in ADAC Formula 4, an eight-time race winner in Euroformula, then in the last two years a race-winner in the FIA Formula 3 Championship and Formula 2.
Crawford came 13th in his rookie F2 season with Hitech GP, and has moved to DAMS for his sophomore season. His management team announced last November that he would exit the Red Bull Junior Team for 2024.
Aston Martin only has two juniors, with 2022 F2 champion Felipe Drugovich its first signing. However the team also has given F1 test running to its driver ambassador Jessica Hawkins, and its livery will be used by Tina Hausmann in the F4-spec F1 Academy series this year.
“I am proud to take this next step in my career,” said Crawford. “The Aston Martin F1 team is a great place to learn and grow, and the programme ahead sounds exciting. I cannot wait to start working with everyone – especially on the simulator where I can make a contribution to the team’s performance on race weekends.
“I’m thrilled to get the chance to drive the [Aston Martin] AMR22 car later this year. It is a big motivator for me to work hard and make the most of this great opportunity.”
Mike Krack, Aston Martin’s F1 team principal, added: “A big welcome to Jak as he begins an exciting journey with Aston Martin. He has shown great potential throughout his junior career and we look forward to supporting his learning and development as he steps into the AMR22 for the first time.
“As part of the growth of the team we want to offer talented young drivers a valuable development programme and I have no doubt Jak will flourish in this environment. We are fortunate to have state-of-the art facilities and world-class personnel, who will prepare Jak to race at the very highest level.”