AMR26 driver Jak Crawford set to participate in another Free Practice 1 session at the Belgian GP after impressive stint as third driver

Aston Martin has confirmed that AMR26 driver Jak Crawford will participate in another Free Practice 1 (FP1) outing for the squad at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix. This will be Crawford's third FP1 session of the season, fulfilling Aston Martin’s requirement to complete four such runs during the campaign.

Faithful observers will remember that Crawford made his debut with team AMR26 in late September driving Fernando Alonso's car for the second race of the 2026 season. More recently, he drove in place of Lance Stroll at the recent Austrian Grand Prix. Before this stint as a third driver, Crawford ended 2025 Formula 2 championship in second place after securing four wins and eight podiums with DAMS Lucas Oil. The Belgian GP will be his opportunity to further establish himself not only as a formidable talent but also as a key member of the team.

According to reporting by Formula 1 (site oficial)

Crawford’s Récuance Role

For Crawford's third driver role, veteran Fernando Alonso will step aside, allowing the young driver to take the wheel. This move is seen as a part of Aston Martin’s strategy to fully evaluate third drivers and prepare them for potential future opportunities within the team. The 21-year-old American takes part in various activities with the team, including a recent Pirelli tyre test at the Barcelona Circuit during June.

Last Showings of Season

Crawford’s latest outing was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year, where he completed the famous hillclimb on Aston Martin's 2025 machine. This experience provides insights into handling a different model and further showcases his multi-faceted talents. Additionally, Crawford has also participated in extensive testing with the team, including a recent Pirelli tyre test at Barcelona.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Jak Crawford drive for Aston Martin?

Crawford recently drove for Aston Martin during the Austrian Grand Prix as a replacement for Lance Stroll.

Has Jak Crawford driven in FP1 before?

Aston Martin has already provided Crawford with two FP1 sessions, with his latest appearance coming when he replaced Alonso at the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this season.

What other testing has Jak Crawford done for Aston Martin?

In addition to FP1s and Goodwood tests, Crawford also participated in a Pirelli tyre test at Barcelona during June.