Jak Crawford is preparing for another taste of Formula 1 action, with Aston Martin handing its reserve driver a fresh opportunity to showcase his progress when he takes the wheel of Lance Stroll’s AMR26 in first practice at next week’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
The 21-year-old American will make his fourth FP1 appearance of the 2026 campaign, adding another valuable session to a season spent working behind the scenes to help Aston Martin find answers to its ongoing performance struggles.
Announced during his home race weekend in Austin, the outing also completes the Silverstone-based squad’s required allocation of rookie practice sessions for the year.
For Crawford, it represents another chance to turn the experience accumulated in the cockpit and simulator into tangible contributions to the team’s development.
A return to a familiar F1 stage
Mexico City holds a special place in Crawford’s Formula 1 journey. It was at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez last year that he made his FP1 debut, and he now returns with three additional practice outings under his belt, having driven in Japan, Austria and Belgium earlier this season.
The American joined Aston Martin’s Driver Development Programme in 2024 and has since become an increasingly familiar presence within the team’s technical operations.
After completing his third Formula 2 campaign last year, he has continued to build his experience through testing and simulator work, supporting efforts to improve the AMR26’s underperforming chassis and power unit.
Crawford is relishing the opportunity to get back on track at a venue that has already played a role in his development.
“I'm really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the AMR26 in Mexico City,” said Crawford, who joined the Aston Martin Driver Development Programme in 2024.
“It's a special circuit for me as it's where I made my FP1 debut last year, so it's great to return with more experience under my belt.
“I've learned a lot through my time on track and in the simulator this season, and I'm looking forward to putting that into practice.
“It's also special to be announcing this during my home race weekend in Austin. As always, the focus will be on making the most of the session and delivering useful feedback for the team.”
The value of Crawford’s growing contribution
For Aston Martin, Crawford’s next outing is about more than simply fulfilling its rookie running obligations. The team is keen to continue assessing his development while benefiting from the technical insight he has built through his simulator and testing responsibilities.
Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack welcomed the opportunity to put the American back behind the wheel, pointing to the progress he has made since his first appearance in Mexico.
Mike Krack, Chief Trackside Officer of Aston Martin F1 Team.
“We are pleased to give Jak another opportunity in the AMR26. He returns to Mexico City with considerably more experience than when he made his FP1 debut there last year,” Krack said.
“His contributions through our simulator and testing programmes have been valuable, and this session provides another opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities while supporting the team's preparations for the weekend.”
With Aston Martin continuing its search for performance, Crawford will have a useful opportunity to demonstrate how much he has learned over the past year.
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook
