Aston Martin taps Jak Crawford to drive Alonso’s AMR26 in FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix
The 20-year-old American makes his debut at the controls of the AMR26 as the third driver.
Aston Martin announced Monday that test driver Jak Crawford will take the wheel of Fernando Alonso’s AMR26 during FP1 at the Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for the early‑morning hours of March 26–27 at 3:30 a.m. ET. It will be the 20‑year‑old American’s first FP1 outing as the team’s official third driver, though he completed two FP1 sessions at the end of last season.
Crawford joined Aston Martin’s Young Driver Program in 2024 and has since balanced Formula 2 competition with factory work and extensive simulator sessions — preparation that helped earn him the third‑driver role for 2026. That simulator experience will be crucial in Suzuka, a track he has never driven in real life.
The Japan session will mark his third FP1 in six months, pushing him past 3,000 kilometers driven in Aston Martin machinery. His participation also helps the team meet one of its four mandatory rookie‑session requirements for the season.
Crawford: “I’m really excited to get behind the wheel”
“I’m very excited to get in the car and drive for the team at Suzuka,” Crawford said. “It’s a historic and demanding circuit, and I’m looking forward to applying everything I’ve learned in the simulator to real track conditions. I’m very grateful to the team for the opportunity. Just like in my previous FP1 sessions, I hope to make the most of it and learn as much as I can.”
Aston Martin: a key step in developing young talent
“It’s fantastic to give Jak another FP1 opportunity as part of our ongoing commitment to developing young talent,” said Mike Krack, Aston Martin’s trackside director. “He’s been working extremely hard, especially in the simulator at Silverstone, and this session will allow him to continue gaining valuable on‑track experience. It’s an important chance for him to keep progressing while helping the team gather useful data and feedback.”
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