Aston Martin has confirmed that F2 driver Jak Crawford will make his Formula 1 debut during the race weekend in Mexico. The 20-year-old American will take the wheel of Lance Stroll‘s AMR25 during the first free practice session. In doing so, the British team meets the stringent rookie requirements for 2025, while Crawford gains valuable experience in the premier class.
The session in Mexico City is part of the FIA’s mandatory rookie program, which requires teams to give young drivers the opportunity to gain experience. All teams are required to deploy an inexperienced driver four times a year during a free practice session. Jak Crawford will take on the first free practice session, after which Lance Stroll will step back in for FP2. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez – and the fact that no sprint race is being held in Mexico – is ideally suited for such substitutions. Rookie Luke Browning will also step into the car for Williams.
Behind the scenes, Crawford has already clocked up a significant number of Formula 1 kilometers. According to Aston Martin, he has already driven over two thousand kilometers with the AMR22, AMR23, and AMR24 during various test days. In addition, he is a regular in the simulator this season and holds a commendable second place in the Formula 2 championship. “I’m thrilled to be stepping into the AMR25 in Mexico,” Crawford responded. “I’ve been working closely with the team all year, so experiencing an official Grand Prix weekend is special. Sharing this news here in Texas makes it extra special.”
Aston Martin team boss Andy Cowell is full of praise for the young American: “It’s fantastic that Jak is getting this opportunity. He has shown great maturity this year and provided valuable technical feedback. These sessions are essential for the development of young talent, and Jak has also played a significant role in the development of our cars.”
