Aston Martin confirm Crawford for Abu Dhabi FP1 and Young Driver Test

Crawford will take over Lance Stroll’s car for the opening practice session in Abu Dhabi. The 20-year-old has completed more than 2,100 km in Formula 1 machinery this year and has been a regular presence in the simulator, contributing to development work on the AMR25 and the AMR26.

The Texan is in his third Formula 2 campaign and sits second in the Drivers' Championship ahead of the final two rounds, with the series heading to Qatar later this month.

Crawford said: “I’m thrilled to get back behind the wheel of the AMR25 for the second time this season. I’ve spent a lot of time in the simulator at the AMR Technology Campus this year, and being able to translate that work onto the track is incredibly rewarding. Mexico was a huge learning experience for me and I’m looking forward to continuing that development in both the FP1 session and the Young Driver Test.”

Aston Martin Aramco CEO and Team Principal Andy Cowell welcomed the continuity as the programme builds towards 2026: “It’s fantastic to see Jak back in the car so soon after Mexico. Building mileage in the car and maintaining momentum is exactly what we aim for in developing our young drivers.

"This session in Abu Dhabi will be an important step as he prepares for his new role as Third Driver next year, and we’re excited to continue supporting his growth," Cowell added.

Crawford’s final F2 phase sets the backdrop to his latest Formula 1 mileage and the team will expect the Abu Dhabi run to add another layer of experience before he transitions into the senior programme for next season.