Jak Crawford on closing his F2 chapter and focusing on F1 future with Aston Martin
Jak Crawford, after finishing second in the 2025 F2 championship, has closed the chapter on his junior formula career. The Aston Martin reserve driver revealed he turned down a Formula E opportunity to remain solely focused on securing a Formula 1 race seat, citing his three years in F2 as crucial preparation for the highest level.
American driver Jak Crawford has concluded his Formula 2 career with a runner-up finish in the 2025 championship and is now fully focused on securing a Formula 1 race seat, having turned down an immediate opportunity in Formula E to pursue his primary goal. The 20-year-old, who serves as Aston Martin's reserve driver, believes his three seasons in the fiercely competitive F2 category have prepared him well for the next step.
Why it matters:
Crawford's decision to prioritize F1 over a confirmed Formula E offer underscores the intense focus and calculated risk young drivers must take to reach the pinnacle of motorsport. His development path—culminating in a strong final F2 season and valuable F1 testing mileage with Aston Martin—positions him as a serious contender for a future race seat, highlighting the ongoing pipeline of talent aiming to break into the grid.
The details:
- Crawford confirmed 2025 was his final F2 season after finishing second to champion Leonardo Fornaroli, marking significant progress from his debut year in 2023.
- He cited consistency, particularly in qualifying and tyre management, as a key challenge during the season, acknowledging rival Fornaroli and the Prema team's strong performance.
- Reflecting on his three-year F2 tenure, Crawford emphasized the category's role in his development, transforming him from a "raw" driver reliant on instinct into a more knowledgeable and prepared competitor.
- Future Focus: When asked about Formula E, where he served as a reserve driver for Andretti, Crawford revealed he had already turned down a chance to race there. "I'm focused on F1," he stated, while leaving the door open for Formula E as a future option if an F1 seat does not materialize.
- F1 Adaptation: Crawford has tested Aston Martin's AMR25 multiple times in 2025, even topping the post-season test in Abu Dhabi. He explained his adaptation method revolves around maintaining separate reference points for F1 and F2 cars to avoid confusion, shifting from instinctual to reference-based driving.
What's next:
Crawford's immediate future lies within the Aston Martin setup, continuing his reserve driver role and building on his promising F1 test outings. His performance and readiness will be closely monitored as he awaits a potential opening on the F1 grid, with his clear F1-or-bust mentality defining the next phase of his career.