Jak Crawford, the young American racer currently competing in Formula 2, has confirmed he’s in discussions with Cadillac about a potential drive when the team enters Formula 1 in 2026.
Speaking ahead of the latest F2 round, the 20-year-old, who serves as a reserve driver for Aston Martin this season, described the talks as preliminary but ongoing. “We’ve had some chats, nothing set in stone yet,” Crawford said. “My main goal is performing well in F2 and supporting Aston Martin, but F1 is the dream.”
Cadillac, backed by General Motors, aims to join the grid as the 11th team next year, with a focus on fielding at least one American driver to boost the sport’s appeal in the US market. Crawford, who switched from Red Bull’s junior programme to Aston Martin last year, fits that profile after a strong 2024 F2 campaign that included a win and several podiums.
He’s now in his second season with DAMS in F2, sitting fifth in the standings as the 2025 championship heads into its final stages. Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack acknowledged the interest but stressed Crawford’s current commitments. “Jak is part of our family, and we’re watching his progress closely,” Krack noted.
With Cadillac’s entry approved by the FIA, the team is scouting talent from both established F1 drivers and rising stars. Crawford joins a list of names linked to the seats, including veterans like Valtteri Bottas and Mick Schumacher, as the new outfit builds its lineup.
For Crawford, who hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, a move to Cadillac could mark a swift rise to F1, especially with limited openings elsewhere on the 2026 grid.
Sources (click to expand):
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/07/31/aston-martin-junior-jak-crawford-in-talks-with-cadillac-for-2026-f1-seat/,
https://lastwordonsports.com/motorsports/2024/12/02/jak-crawford-sets-sights-on-f1-dream-with-cadillacs-2026-entry/,
https://f1i.com/news/545185-f2-charger-crawford-confirms-talks-with-cadillac-f1.html,
https://www.planetf1.com/news/jak-crawford-f1-dream-cadillac-target-american-driver,
https://www.gpblog.com/en/exclusive-news/cadillac-has-a-catch-valtteri-bottas-agrees-with-new-formula-1-team,
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/racing/cadillac-f1-team-finalizes-driver-lineup-2026-season-2104509,
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2025/07/19/mick-schumacher-delivers-very-positive-update-on-cadillac-f1-seat-discussion/,
https://x.com/By_NathanBrown/status/1863668475891200222,
https://x.com/feeder_series/status/1844015117610148020,
https://x.com/Formula2/status/1844015689117667835
