Jak Crawford Targets 2027 F1 Race Seat After Aston Martin Reserve Role

Jak Crawford, Aston Martin’s reserve driver and Formula 2 runner-up, views the 2027 season as his best chance to secure a Formula 1 race seat. With Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll holding the current seats, Crawford will spend 2026 on the sidelines, focusing entirely on his development within the Silverstone outfit.

Why it matters:

The path to F1 is narrowing, making the reserve driver role more critical than ever. Crawford’s strategy mirrors Oscar Piastri’s successful transition from a reserve year to a race seat. It highlights a shift where drivers must balance staying sharp without racing while proving their worth to team principals in a market that often favors veteran experience over youth.

The details:

• Cadillac Rejection: Crawford negotiated with the incoming GM team but was passed over for veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
• The Piastri Model: He aims to follow Piastri’s blueprint, staying relevant through paddock presence rather than racing in other series.
• Single Focus: Instead of competing in Formula 2 or Formula E, Crawford will dedicate 2026 to Aston Martin’s F1 program, utilizing simulator and track time.
• Risk Factor: The role carries risks, as seen with former Aston reserve Felipe Drugovich, who left for Formula E without securing an F1 drive.

Looking ahead:

Crawford is confident that his performance in the simulator and during tests will prove his readiness. He believes that maintaining visibility at every Grand Prix will keep him in the conversation for 2027. If he executes his development plan effectively, the American driver could finally graduate to a full-time race seat in two years.