Photo: Andretti Global
Andretti Global has announced that it has signed Formula 2 race-winner Jak Crawford as a reserve and development driver for its Formula E squad.
The multinational team, which was founded in America and harbours ambitions to join Formula 1 in 2026, is the third major motorsport brand to have brought Crawford under its wing.
From 2020 to ’23 the American was a Red Bull junior, and in that time he was ADAC Formula 4 runner-up, a Euroformula and FIA Formula 3 Championship race-winner before he stepped up to F2 and came 13th in the standings as a rookie.
He departed Red Bull’s ranks for this year, and was signed by its F1 rival Aston Martin as a junior in February. That has resulted in test opportunities, including driving the team’s 2024 car in the official young driver test later this year.
Crawford got his first FE mileage with Andretti in the championship’s own official rookie test in Berlin this May, and has continued to race in F2. The 19-year-old is currently contending for the title, and has one win and four other podiums so far in 2024. He has already signed to spend another season with DAMS in the championship in 2025, a deal which would become redundant should he become champion due to F2’s ruling on not allowing champions to defend their crown.
“I’m very excited to be the official reserve and development driver for the Andretti FE team in Season 11,” said Crawford.
“Growing up in America, Andretti is such a household name in motorsports so it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to be part of the team. I’m keen to learn as much about the car as possible from both Jake [Dennis] and Nico [Muller], and to play a role on the development side through simulator work. I’m looking forward to getting started and to hopefully have the chance to get more experience in the car.”
The 2024-25 FE season is scheduled to start with the Sao Paolo E-Prix on December 7, and there are some technology concerns that could compromise the season opener.
“We are very pleased to announce that Jak is taking a more permanent role with the Andretti FE team as our reserve and development driver,” commented Andretti’s FE team principal Roger Griffiths.
“His debut with us at the Berlin rookie test was very impressive and he immediately showed strong pace. When the opportunity of a reserve and development driver arose, Jak was immediately of interest.
“He has demonstrated a mature approach through his second season in F2, and since his appearance with us, has already achieved a win and three additional podiums. We look forward to his contributions in helping improve the team’s performance though his active role driving the simulator.”