Aston Martin chooses Jak Crawford to replace Alonso in FP1 of the Japanese GP

Aston Martin has confirmed that third driver Jak Crawford will take the wheel of the AMR26 in place of Fernando Alonso during the first free practice session of Grande Prêmio from The team based in Silverstone decided to give the 20-year-old American another opportunity next weekend in Suzuka. Essa will be Crawford’s third appearance in a FP1 for Aston Martin, after appearances in México and Abu Dhabi in the previous season. The measure also fulfills one of the mandatory sessions for novice drivers required by Fórmula 1 this year.

Crawford expressed excitement at the chance to drive on an iconic circuit. Ele highlighted the work carried out in the simulator in Silverstone as fundamental preparation to face the demands of the Japanese track, which he has never driven in real life. The American driver has significant experience in youth categories and has already completed thousands of kilometers behind the wheel of Aston Martin cars in simulated tests.

• Crawford finished second in Fórmula 2 last season with 175 points.
• He achieved victories and podiums in F3 and F4 before moving up to F2.
• The American has been part of the Aston Martin young pilot program since 2024.

Development opportunity for young talent

The participation of Jak Crawford in Suzuka represents another step in Aston Martin’s commitment to training new talents. The reserve pilot has been dedicating himself intensely to the simulator to accumulate knowledge about the AMR26. Essa session allows him to apply the data collected in the simulations to the real track and contribute valuable feedback to the team’s engineers.

Mike Krack, director of track operations at Aston Martin, reinforced the importance of this opportunity. Ele mentioned that Crawford worked hard in the simulator and that experience in real track conditions accelerates his progress. The team values ​​both individual development and the useful data that young people can provide during training.

Crawford has already demonstrated potential by competing at the top of the Fórmula 2. Sua trajectory includes victories in sprint and feature races, which caught the attention of teams at

Session details and preparation at Suzuka

The first free practice session takes place on Friday, March 27th, with local time at Suzuka set for the morning. Crawford will take over the car from Fernando Alonso, while the Spaniard returns to the wheel in the following sessions. The Suzuka track is known for its high-speed curves and technical demands, which represents an additional challenge for any driver making their debut there.

The American highlighted in an official statement that he is eager to transform work in the simulator into real performance. Ele thanked the team for their trust and stated that they intend to make the most of each lap to learn and contribute. Aston Martin sees this action as part of an ongoing plan to integrate young people into the team.

Fernando The presence of Crawford in TL1 helps comply with regulations and test configurations without interfering with the starters’ main preparation.

Team reactions and expectations

Mike Krack highlighted that giving Crawford the opportunity is part of Aston Martin’s long-term strategy. The director mentioned that the reserve driver has already demonstrated high commitment in previous sessions and that the new car requires constant adaptation. Data collection during FP1 in Suzuka could influence adjustments for the remainder of the weekend.

Crawford has completed more than 3000 kilometers on Aston Martin simulators to date. Essa intensive preparation is especially useful on complex circuits like Suzuka, where the layout requires precision when braking and accelerating. The young driver was born in the Estados Unidos and has been building a career in the Europa since karting.

Fórmula 1 requires teams to give up at least two FP1s per season to drivers who have not participated in more than two grand prix. Aston Martin chose to use one of these vacancies in the third stage of the calendar. Essa decision reflects the desire to accelerate the development of Crawford while meeting category standards.

Trajectory from Jak Crawford to Fórmula 1

The 20-year-old pilot quickly rose through the youth ranks. Ele competed in F4 and F3 with victories before reaching Fórmula 2, where he competed for teams such as DAMS. Last season, Crawford fought for the title and finished in second place, behind only Leonardo Fornaroli. Essa performance consolidated his name as one of the American promises in the sport.

Upon joining the Aston Martin youth program in 2024, Crawford began splitting time between racing and simulator work. In 2025, he accumulated experience in two FP1s and will now take on a more active role as third driver in 2026. The team evaluates his progress based on consistency, technical feedback and ability to adapt.

Suzuka marks the first time that Crawford visits Japão in the context of Fórmula 1. The historic circuit, with its iconic curves like the 130R, requires precise setup and courage from the driver. Aston Martin believes that the session will serve both personal development and improve understanding of AMR26 in real conditions.

Aston Martin’s next steps in the championship

The British team started 2026 with technical difficulties in the AMR26, which led to rapid adjustments in the development strategy. Utilizar FP1 for a reserve driver allows starters to focus on qualifying and racing without wasting time in testing. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll continue as the main duo, bringing experience to extract the car’s potential.

Crawford continues without a full-time racing program this year to dedicate himself fully to supporting Aston Martin. Seu role includes simulations, data analysis and, where possible, on-track sessions like the one in Suzuka. The team plans more similar opportunities throughout the season depending on the schedule and rookie rules.

Participation in Suzuka takes place at the home of Honda, engine partner of Aston Martin. Esse factor adds special context to the weekend, with the expectation of a strong local presence in the stands. Crawford arrives motivated to deliver solid performance and justify the trust placed in the team.