Jak Crawford has completed his maiden Formula 1 testing appearance with Aston Martin in the team’s 2022 car at the Red Bull Ring, home to the Austrian Grand Prix.

The American, 19, was signed to Aston Martin’s Young Driver Development programme over the winter and he was granted the chance to sample the squad’s AMR22.

Crawford sustained an uninterrupted run schedule and logged more than 400km under his belt as he completed both short runs and long runs, according to the team.

“A big thank you to everyone at Aston Martin Aramco who has helped to make this happen and for their support at the test,” Crawford said.

“My first day in an F1 car was a great experience and I enjoyed every lap.

“It was a clean and smooth day for us with no issues and we completed all the running that we wanted to.

“The main goal for me was to get up to speed and get used to the systems of the car.

“It was a learning process for me and in the end, it was nothing like I’ve ever driven before, especially in the high-speed sections.

“I feel like I adapted quite well and I’m excited for the next one.”

Crawford will now continue to attend sporadic race events with the Silverstone-based squad this season along with continuing his sophomore campaign in Formula 2.

Robert Sattler, Aston Martin Team Evolution Programme Director, added: “It is always a special moment seeing a young driver complete their first laps in a Formula One car.

“After a full day of running Jak has gained some valuable experience that he can take forward into his other tests in the programme.

“We know that the switch in driving style between F2 to F1 is not easy, but Jak adapted to the car quickly and he worked well with the team to improve as the day progressed.”

Elsewhere, Mercedes has continued Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s previous car testing programme as the Italian drove the marque’s 2022 charger, the W13, in Barcelona.

The post Crawford completes debut F1 test with Aston Martin in Austria appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Aston Martin has announced that Jak Crawford will make his maiden test appearance in a Formula 1 car next week when he samples the AMR22 at the Red Bull Ring.

Crawford departed the Red Bull scheme at the end of last term following four years and was signed up into the Aston Martin Young Driver Development programme.

The American has been dovetailing his Aston Martin role with his sophomore campaign in Formula 2, where he has taken one podium to sit 11th in the championship.

Crawford, 18, participated in the Formula E test in Berlin earlier this month and he will now get the chance to get behind the wheel of a ground effect F1 car in Austria.

“Testing with Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team is more than just a dream come true; it’s an important and exciting step on my motorsport journey,” he said.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this chance to drive an F1 car, learn more from the team and push myself even further.

“I want to say a massive thank you to Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team for believing in me and providing this opportunity.

“I can’t wait to hit the track in Austria on 5 June.”

The post Crawford to receive maiden F1 test outing with Aston Martin appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Aston Martin has announced that it has inducted former Red Bull Junior Team member Jak Crawford into its Formula 1 Young Driver Development programme.

Crawford departed the Red Bull scheme at the end of 2023 following four years within its ranks, which saw him progress to Formula 2 on the single seater ladder.

The American, who classified seventh in Formula 3 in 2022, landed one win and five podiums in his maiden campaign in the second tier last term to place 13th.

Crawford has switched from Hitech DAMS for his second season in F2 and that will be complemented by performing testing and simulator duties with Aston Martin.

The Aston Martin Young Driver Development programme “focuses on preparing rising stars for the demands of competing at the very highest levels of motorsport”.

The programme will provide up-and-coming drivers with fitness work, media training and simulator work, plus the chance to observe the team during grand prix weekends.

Alongside his sessions in the simulator supporting the squad’s race operations, the 18-year-old is also in line to receive time in Aston Martin’s AMR22 car later this year.

“I am proud to take this next step in my career,” Crawford said. “The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One 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 AMR22 car later this year. It is a big motivator for me to work hard and make the most of this great opportunity.”

Aston Martin Team Principal Mike Krack added: “A big welcome to Jak as he begins an exciting journey with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team.

“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.”

The post Aston Martin F1 signs Crawford to Young Driver Development programme appeared first on Motorsport Week.

In his second year of racing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, Jak Crawford took his first win in the series, fending off Caio Collet in the final laps of the race.

Collet was leading for much of the race, after starting from reverse grid pole position. However, he found himself dropping behind Juan Manuel Correa on the opening lap.

But on lap six, Correa was hit with a terminal issue and was forced to retire from the race.

A Safety Car was called midway through the race when Zane Maloney was spun around amid a battle with his rivals, and at the restart, Crawford pounced.

He moved ahead of Collet with an impressive overtake around the outside of Turn 7 to consolidate his position at the head of the pack. In the final laps, Collet ran close behind the PREMA Racing driver, but couldn’t produce an overtake to reclaim the lead.

The win marked PREMA’s second of the 2022 campaign, with Crawford becoming the seventh different race winner of the year.

Collet was just over half a second behind to take a podium result, while Franco Colapinto rounded out the top three.

Arthur Leclerc was fourth and took the extra point on offer for the fastest lap – all three PREMA cars were on course to score points, however Oliver Bearman received a five-second time penalty and was demoted outside the top 10.

Roman Stanek was fifth, ahead of Kaylen Frederick in sixth. Having missed a handful of rounds due to illness, Jonny Edgar’s F3 return was greeted with a strong drive to seventh place.

Championship leader Victor Martins was eighth, with Leclerc closing in behind for the lead of the standings.

Alexander Smolyar and Isack Hadjar rounded out the top 10.

The post Crawford fends off Collet for F3 Sprint Race win appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Red Bull junior driver Jak Crawford will continue in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2022, making the switch to Prema.

Crawford spent 2021 competing in F3 with Hitech Grand Prix, ending the campaign 13th in the Drivers’ standings with one podium finish.

As preparation for his second F3 season, the American will also race for Prema in the upcoming Formula Regional Asian Championship.

Crawford joined Prema at the post-season test in Valencia, and completes Prema’s F3 line-up, joining Oliver Bearman and Arthur Leclerc at the team.

“I’m very excited to be joining PREMA for a second season of FIA F3 as well as contesting the Formula Regional Asian Championship with them,” Crawford said. 

“I am very much looking forward to building on what I learned last year in my rookie season, and hoping to emulate the success that other drivers have had with the team in the past. 

“FIA F3 will be the main focus for me this year and I am eager to get the season underway.”

Prema has enjoyed success in F3 since the formation of the series in 2019, taking all three Drivers’ Championships on offer in that time.

Prema team principal Rene Rosin added: “We have always kept a close eye on Jak. 

“He established himself as one of the most promising drivers since his Formula 4 days, and finally working together will be extremely interesting. 

“I’m sure that there is enough potential to aim high for 2022. We already had the chance to work with him in testing, and we look forward to continuing that process in the Formula Regional Asian Championship.

“I’m equally delighted to continue our work with the Red Bull Junior Team in order to develop the next generation of high-profile racing drivers.”

The post Crawford switches to Prema for 2022 F3 campaign appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Red Bull juniors Jak Crawford and Ayumu Iwasa will compete for Hitech in the 2021 FIA Formula 3 season.

Crawford spent the 2020 campaign racing in Formula 4, missing out on the ADAC Championship by two points to fellow Red Bull junior Jonny Edgar, who has joined Carlin.

The American also raced in the Italian F4 series, ending the year sixth in the standings, missing two rounds at Misano and Monza.

Crawford joined Hitech at the post-season F3 test last year to get his first taste of the Dallara-built machinery.

“I am very happy to spend the 2021 FIA F3 season with Hitech GP,” Crawford said. “I am excited to make a step up from F4 to compete in the competitive field of drivers.

“With the success the team has had in previous years, I hope I can achieve the same results and fight at the front of the field.”

Iwasa, who is backed by Honda and is a recent addition to the Red Bull junior programme, raced in the French Formula 4 series last year, winning the championship.

The Japanese driver will also race in the FIA Asian F3 Championship for Hitech, which gets underway on January 29, spanning five rounds.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead,” Iwasa said.

“Joining Hitech in both FIA F3 and Asian F3 will be exciting, and I will be able to learn a lot with the success the team have had over the years. I’ll do my best to continuously achieve a good result.”

The post Red Bull puts Crawford and Iwasa at Hitech in F3 appeared first on Motorsport Week.