American Formula 2 driver Jak Crawford has confirmed he is among several candidates talking with the upcoming Cadillac Formula 1 team. His chances of securing a seat will heavily rely on his results in the 2024 Formula 2 season.
At 20 years old, Crawford races with the DAMS team and currently holds third place in the F2 championship, with three wins and just nine points behind leader Leonardo Fornaroli. This strong competitive position has brought him to the attention of Cadillac’s F1 program as it prepares to enter the sport.
Background of Cadillac’s Entry into Formula 1
Cadillac’s ambition to join Formula 1 initially surfaced through Andretti Global, a team led by Michael Andretti, son of Mario Andretti. Known for its presence in IndyCar and Formula E, Andretti Global aimed to launch a new F1 team but eventually withdrew from ownership plans. Management then transitioned to Dan Towriss, owner of Group1001, with Cadillac assuming a more prominent role.
During Andretti Global’s initial efforts, the team expressed a clear desire to place an American driver in Formula 1. While this preference has since softened as Cadillac’s F1 project gained an international character, the focus on American talent remains relevant.
Current State of the Cadillac F1 Driver Search
Crawford highlighted the importance of his Formula 2 performance this year in shaping his future opportunities.
“It depends a lot on what I do in Formula 2 this year,”
he explained to Motorsport.com.
“If I can win the championship, it would be great for my career. It could lead to many opportunities, whether [that’s] with a seat on the grid or potentially again reserve driver next year in Formula 1.”
He also indicated that he is exploring all possibilities across the F1 grid:
“We’re trying to find any space on the grid, whether it’s with Cadillac or Aston Martin or some other teams.”
After spending four years in the Red Bull junior program, Crawford recently joined Aston Martin’s driver development pipeline. However, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll confirmed at Aston Martin through to 2026, a race seat there is unlikely in the near term, making Cadillac the primary immediate option.
Crawford’s Perspective on the Competition and His Path Forward
Despite ongoing discussions, Crawford acknowledged that progress has been slow:
“There have been talks. I’ve been talking, but it’s very slow at the moment.”
He is focused on his performance in Formula 2, stating,
“From my side, I just need to do a good job in Formula 2.”
The driver is aware of the stiff competition from established contenders such as Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, both former Grand Prix winners. He remarked on the challenge,
“There’s nothing I can do to compete.”
He added,
“Actually, the only thing I can do is do well in F2. Other than that, I can’t really do anything else.”
Super License Points and Qualification Requirements
To qualify for a Formula 1 super license, essential for competing on the grid, Crawford needs to accumulate 40 points. He currently holds 27 points earned from prior seasons—20 from his fifth-place finish in the 2023 Formula 2 championship and 7 points from finishing seventh in Formula 3 in 2022.
If Crawford secures a top-five finish in the 2024 Formula 2 standings, he will reach the threshold required to apply for an F1 super license. This would keep his chances alive for joining Cadillac or other teams next year.
Competition for the Cadillac Drive
Cadillac’s shortlist reportedly includes notable names such as Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez, Mick Schumacher, Jack Doohan, and Zhou Guanyu. While the presence of experienced drivers presents a significant challenge, Crawford’s advancement will depend largely on delivering standout results during the current season.
A stronger performance would not only improve his chances with Cadillac but also enhance his reputation across Formula 1 teams seeking rising talent.