No American driver has ever won the Formula 2 (F2) championship or its earlier equivalents. The closest was current IndyCar driver Alexander Rossi, who finished runner-up in 2015.
Now, American racing hopeful Jak Crawford believes he could be the one to change that narrative — and possibly land a coveted spot with the brand-new Cadillac Formula 1 team in 2026.
Cadillac’s 2026 Driver Line-Up Still Open
Cadillac will officially join the Formula 1 grid next year as the 11th team, but its driver line-up remains unconfirmed. According to paddock sources, Cadillac is prioritizing experience, with seasoned drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas emerging as the front-runners. However, the team is not rushing into a final decision and has reportedly spoken with multiple candidates.
If a rookie is selected, Crawford — currently the only realistic American contender — would be in the running.
“There have been talks, and there’s interest on both sides,” Crawford told Autoweek. “From my side, I’m trying to get into Formula 1, and as an American, I think it would be a great fit. Right now, I just need to focus on performing in Formula 2 — that’s all I can control.”
Backup Plan: Reserve Role with Rookie Sessions
Crawford also revealed he is open to a test/reserve driver position. Formula 1 regulations require each team to give a rookie driver four free practice sessions per season.
“The first goal is to be on the grid in Formula 1,” Crawford explained. “But if not, a third driver role with guaranteed future development would be the next best thing. I’d miss a year of racing but gain valuable experience to be more prepared when the chance comes.”
Cadillac Connection Through Andretti Formula E
Crawford already has ties to Cadillac’s owners, TWG Motorsports, through his development role with the Andretti Formula E team. This connection could strengthen his candidacy for a Formula 1 role. While he is open to continuing in Formula E, Crawford emphasized that F1 remains his top priority.
Currently, the 20-year-old from Charlotte, North Carolina, serves as a junior driver for Aston Martin, but upward movement is limited given the team’s firm commitment to Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
Training, Testing, and F1 Experience
Crawford has logged extensive simulator sessions at Aston Martin’s Silverstone headquarters in 2025, alongside private runs in the team’s 2023-spec AMR23 at Zandvoort and Monza. Additional outings are planned before the year ends, with hopes of making his official free practice debut.
“You learn so much in an F1 car,” Crawford said. “It’s not just about driving fast — you need the intelligence to know what changes will improve performance. There’s so much you can adjust remotely, and that’s been a huge learning curve.”
F2 Season Still a Priority
While Formula 1 ambitions dominate headlines, Crawford remains focused on the final four races of the current Formula 2 championship. Strong results could further boost his case for a Cadillac seat in 2026 — or secure him a valuable reserve driver position.
