Jak Crawford is emerging as a strong candidate for the Cadillac F1 2026 driver lineup, expressing optimism about a future partnership with the team as it prepares to debut in Formula 1. While Cadillac has yet to finalize its race drivers for next season, Crawford, a promising American Formula 2 competitor, is among the few rookies being seriously considered as the team weighs options for its driver roster.
Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 in 2026 will mark the arrival of an 11th team, and the organization is understood to be emphasizing experience in filling its two driver seats. Veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are currently the front-runners for the opening, but the possibility remains for a fresh face if the team opts to take a chance on a rookie, with Crawford’s name coming into focus.
Crawford’s Perspective on Joining Cadillac’s Formula 1 Program
Jak Crawford has openly acknowledged ongoing discussions with Cadillac about a potential role next year but remains focused on his current performance in Formula 2 while awaiting clarity on the team’s final plans.
“Yeah, there have been talks, obviously there’s interest on both sides,”
Crawford told Autoweek.
“On my side, trying to get into Formula 1 and obviously being an American I think it would be a good match. So, definitely there’s talks ongoing there.”
—Jak Crawford, Racing Driver
He emphasized that while the final decisions are out of his hands, his goal remains to deliver strong results in the current F2 season to strengthen his candidacy.
“From my side I feel it’s just [a case of] waiting and trying to do as good as I can in the Formula 2 car, there’s not much I can do to influence my place besides do that.”
—Jak Crawford, Racing Driver
In the event he does not secure a race seat, Crawford would consider a test or reserve driver position, which allows for regular participation in practice sessions mandated for rookies, helping him stay close to the F1 environment and sharpen his skills.
“Obviously the goal—the first goal—would be to be on the grid next year in Formula 1,”
Crawford said.
“I feel like I’m ready enough that I’d do a good job in F1, so that’s not an issue, but of course the next best thing would be a third driver role with almost a guarantee of future development, or a seat in the future. That’d be the next best thing where I’d miss out on racing for a year but would be able to learn more and be more ready by the time I’d be able to jump in.”
—Jak Crawford, Racing Driver
Crawford’s Connections and Experience with Cadillac and Aston Martin
Jak Crawford’s existing links with Cadillac’s ownership group, TWG Motorsports, have aided his positioning as a plausible candidate for Cadillac’s F1 debut. His role as a development driver with the Andretti Formula E team, owned by the same group, facilitated introductions within the organization.
“was a big help as I was already introduced to a lot of people.”
—Jak Crawford, Racing Driver
While an expanded role in Formula E remains an option, Crawford firmly places Formula 1 at the top of his aspirations.
“F1 is definitely at the front of the list.”
—Jak Crawford, Racing Driver
Currently 20 years old and based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Crawford holds a junior driver contract with Aston Martin. However, a path to a race seat with Aston Martin is constrained by the team’s current lineup of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, making Cadillac a logical step forward.
Throughout 2025, Crawford has accumulated significant simulator hours at Aston Martin’s Silverstone facility and gained valuable track experience driving the 2023-spec AMR23 during private test sessions at Zandvoort and Monza. He is anticipated to continue these sessions and hopes to make a Formula 1 free practice debut before the season’s end.
“I’ve had some great experiences, continuing my learning of being in a Formula 1 car,”
Crawford noted.
“You get to work with different engineers in a much more complex car, where there’s a lot of things you can change to make you go faster; an F1 car’s not only about driving fast, it’s being smart enough to know what you need to change, and you can change so much remotely, so you just learn a lot.”
—Jak Crawford, Racing Driver
Current Performance Boosts Crawford’s Bid for F1
Crawford’s immediate focus remains on competing strongly in the final four rounds of this year’s Formula 2 championship, where he currently sits second in the standings, 17 points behind leader Leonardo Fornaroli. His season includes three wins and multiple podium finishes, signaling consistent competitiveness.
No American has ever captured the Formula 2 title or its historical predecessors. The best American performance to date was Alexander Rossi’s runner-up finish in 2015, highlighting the challenge Crawford faces in breaking new ground for U.S. drivers at this level.
“I think overall across all the rounds we’ve been really fast, especially in the races, I’m happy,”
Crawford said.
“I’ve got a bunch of wins, I feel like I could have had more, but many podiums, second in the championship, so I’m pretty happy.”
—Jak Crawford, Racing Driver
“We work really hard as a team, with my engineers, to improve, especially the qualifying, which is very important. We’ve always been really strong in the races, but we’ve struggled in qualifying a bit more—so we need to qualify well; from then on it’s on me in the races to bring the car home, I feel like we’re always fast enough to fight for a podium on any day. I feel like any time we qualify well there’s no doubt the results will come.”
—Jak Crawford, Racing Driver
What Lies Ahead for Cadillac and Jak Crawford in Formula 1
Cadillac’s progression into Formula 1 next year marks a significant venture for the American automaker, intending to build a competitive team on the world stage. While experienced drivers like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas are prioritized, the inclusion of an ambitious rookie like Jak Crawford would signal a strategic investment in homegrown talent poised to develop alongside the team’s growth.
For Crawford, securing a seat or even a reserve role with Cadillac could open a new chapter in his racing career, offering exposure to the highest level of motorsport and an opportunity to continue learning within a top constructor’s environment. His existing ties to Aston Martin and TWG Motorsports, combined with his strong Formula 2 performance, position him as a plausible candidate as final decisions take shape.
As Cadillac finalizes its 2026 driver lineup, Crawford’s future will likely hinge on the team’s balance between experience and youthful potential, but his current trajectory and openness to multiple roles reflect a determined racer ready to seize his chance.