Jak Crawford is set to take part in his fourth Free Practice 1 (FP1) session for Aston Martin at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix. This outing marks his second FP1 appearance of the season and continues his involvement with the team as their third driver.
The session at the Red Bull Ring will see Crawford behind the wheel of Lance Stroll’s AMR26 car for the one-hour FP1 slot. This run fulfills the second of Aston Martin’s four rookie practice sessions mandated for 2026. Crawford’s familiarity with the Austrian circuit comes from his previous experience in Formula 2 and Formula 3, adding valuable context to his FP1 participation.
Earlier in June 2024, Crawford tested an Aston Martin Formula 1® car, the AMR22, at the same venue. More recently, he completed a Pirelli tyre test with the team in Barcelona, further integrating into Aston Martin’s development programme. Mike Krack, Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer, has emphasized Crawford’s significant role in their simulator work and the importance of assessing his progress during race weekends.
Crawford’s FP1 outings are part of Aston Martin’s strategy to comply with the rookie driver practice requirements while also gaining insights into his development and feedback capabilities. His input is considered valuable not only for on-track performance but also for simulator sessions, which play a crucial role in car setup and race preparation.
For the Austrian Grand Prix, the Red Bull Ring presents a familiar challenge for Crawford, who has raced there in junior categories. This experience is expected to help him provide detailed feedback to the team during the FP1 session, contributing to Aston Martin’s overall weekend performance.
Jak Crawford has expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to drive during the race weekend and aims to deliver constructive feedback that supports the team’s efforts. His continued involvement in FP1 sessions highlights Aston Martin’s commitment to developing their third driver and integrating him into the Formula 1® environment.
