Spielberg (6 June2024) – Years of training, perseverance, and dedication paid off this week as young American racer Jak Crawford got his first opportunity to test a Formula 1 car. Running for Aston Martin Aramco Formula One® Team at the same circuit where he scored a breakthrough Formula 2 victory in his rookie season last year, Crawford clocked nearly 300 miles of testing at the high-speed Red Bull Ring circuit.
The opportunity to drive the AMR22 developed as part of Crawfords role in the Aston Martin Young Driver Development program, which also sees him actively engaged with the race team with both his on-site participation at Formula 1 race events as well as his continued contributions in the team simulator at the AMR Technology Campus.
The test further fueled Crawfords F1 ambition as he looks to continue to forge his own path to Formula 1.
“A big thank you to everyone at Aston Martin Aramco who has helped to make this happen and for their support at the test. 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.”
Having also taken a dramatic victory in F3 at the circuit in 2022, the return to Red Bull Racing was another chapter of success for Crawford in Austria, as the Texan looked to learn as much as he could on the day.
“The main goal for me was to get up to speed and get used to the systems of the car,” said Crawford. “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.”
Crawfords focus now returns to his Formula 2 campaign, which will see him in action with his DAMS Lucas Oil squad in Spain in two weeks time.