Aston Martin names Jak Crawford US reserve driver 2026 F1 season

Aston Martin has confirmed 20-year-old American Jak Crawford, a member of its Young Driver Programme since 2024, will step up as the team's third/reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Crawford has logged more than 2,000km in F1 machinery via simulator work, private tests and outings, including an FP1 appearance in Mexico City and an end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi. He will act as reserve for Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, supporting race operations and car development through regular simulator sessions at the AMR Technology Campus and is expected to receive practice outings in 2026. Crawford sits second in the Formula 2 standings—19 points behind Leonardo Fornaroli—with two rounds remaining in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, and says he aims to finish F2 strongly while using the reserve role to prepare for a future F1 race seat. Team principal Andy Cowell praised Crawford’s progress and test mileage, and the promotion follows Felipe Drugovich’s departure to Andretti Formula E, opening the pathway for Crawford to take on the expanded role.