Jak Crawford targets 2027 as his best shot to reach Formula 1

Jak Crawford, the 2025 Formula 2 runner-up, believes the 2027 season represents his most realistic opportunity to secure a race seat in Formula 1. Despite missing out on immediate opportunities with Aston Martin and Cadillac, the American driver is committed to a reserve driver role, hoping to emulate the success of drivers like Oscar Piastri who took a year off racing to prepare for the top tier.

Why it matters:

The pathway from junior formulas to the F1 grid is increasingly narrowing, with experienced drivers occupying the majority of seats. Crawford's strategy highlights a difficult gamble young talents must make: staying visible within an F1 team versus maintaining race sharpness in other series. His approach will test whether full immersion in a factory team environment is more valuable than racing elsewhere when chasing a future promotion.

The details:

• Blocked Pathways: Crawford remains with Aston Martin as a reserve driver for a third year. The team's retention of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, combined with Cadillac's signing of veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, left the Texan without a race seat for the upcoming season.
• The Piastri Model: Crawford aims to replicate Oscar Piastri's trajectory, who sat out the 2022 season after winning the F2 title but successfully debuted with McLaren in 2023. Crawford believes constant presence in the paddock keeps his name relevant for team bosses.
• The Drugovich Warning: The strategy carries significant risk. Former Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich waited three years for a chance that never came, recently leaving the team for Formula E.
• Undivided Focus: Crawford argues that skipping racing in F2 or Formula E allows him to dedicate 100% of his focus to the Aston Martin F1 program. He plans to utilize simulator time and young driver tests to bridge the gap without the distraction of a competitive racing campaign.

Looking Ahead:

While acknowledging the inherent uncertainty of the reserve driver role, Crawford remains optimistic about his prospects for 2027. He trusts that performing well in his current duties and integrating deeply with the team will position him as the logical candidate when a seat eventually becomes available.