American racer and Aston Martin development driver Jak Crawford got his first taste of F1 on Wednesday at the Red Bull Ring.
The 19-year-old who currently competes in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Dams put Team Silverstone’s wasted no time getting comfortable behind the wheel of Aston’s AMR22.
Throughout the day, good weather conditions allowed him to complete over 400km of running. The test included a variety of short and long runs, giving Crawford a valuable opportunity to understand the car's capabilities and the intricacies of F1 tyres.
“My first day in an F1 car was a great experience and I enjoyed every lap,” he enthused.
“It was a clean and smooth day for us with no issues and we completed all the running that we wanted to. The main goal for me was to get up to speed and get used to the systems of the car.
“It was a learning process for me and in the end, it was nothing like I’ve ever driven before, especially in the high speed sections. I feel like I adapted quite well and I’m excited for the next one.”
Crawford will continue to be involved with the team at future races, gaining crucial insights by observing the race drivers and the inner workings of the team during Grand Prix weekends.
Additionally, Crawford will maintain his involvement in race operations through frequent simulator sessions at Aston Martin's AMR Technology Campus.
“It is always a special moment seeing a young driver complete their first laps in a Formula 1 car,” commented Robert Sattler, Aston’s Evolution Programme Director.
“After a full day of running Jak has gained some valuable experience that he can take forward into his other tests in the programme.
“We know that the switch in driving style between F2 to F1 is not easy, but Jak adapted to the car quickly and he worked well with the team to improve as the day progressed.”
