Ex Red Bull junior, Jak Crawford has joined Aston Martin’s Young Driver Development Programme.
Crawford is only the second male driver to join Aston Martin’s Young Driver Development programme after Felipe Drugovich, who joined in September 2022 just days after he clinched the F2 title that season and the Brazilian has gone on to test for the team and drove in three FP1 sessions.
Aston Martin have confirmed that Crawford will regularly conduct simulator work and also have the chance to drive their AMR22 car, which contested the 2022 F1 season, whilst also racing for DAMS in the 2024 F2 season.
Speaking of his pride at getting a second chance within a F1 team after he left Red Bull at the end of 2023 after four seasons with the Austrian constructor, Crawford commented: “I am proud to take this next step in my career.
“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.”
On what it means to be able to drive the AMR22 car later this year, Crawford added that he is “thrilled” to get the chance to drive the car in his first season with the team, which he believes “is a big motivator for me to work hard and make the most of this great opportunity.”
Aston Martin’s Team Principal, Mike Krack believes that Crawford “has shown great potential throughout his junior career” and can’t wait to support the 18 year-old American with his learning and development throughout the season as Crawford races in F2.
Krack also iterated that he is confident that Crawford can benefit from the team’s support as he continued: “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.”
Crawford’s addition to the team came just hours after Aston Martin unveiled the AMR24 car which will compete in the new F1 season.
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