While the 2025 Formula 1 season was defined by an influx of rookies—six new drivers made their debuts last year—the upcoming 2026 campaign will see only one driver entering F1 from the junior categories: Arvid Lindblad, joining VCARB after finishing sixth in the Formula 2 championship standings.
The top finisher, Italian Leonardo Fornaroli, has joined McLaren’s program as a third driver, while the runner-up Jak Crawford will serve as Aston Martin’s reserve driver in 2026. This is a milestone moment for the young American, who will turn 21 on May 2.
The dream and gratitude
Announced on October 28, Crawford spoke in an interview with Aston Martin about how much the opportunity means to him and what drives his motivation: “We finalized the agreement shortly after the summer break. From the beginning of my career in the Aston Martin Aramco junior program, I knew I had the skills to become a third driver. It’s only now that I’m really beginning to understand what I’ve achieved.”
“Staying with Aston Martin was an easy decision. When I received the offer, I felt their loyalty and I wanted to give it back. The team has done so much for me, and I feel part of the family. Continuing this journey together just felt right,” he continued. “I spoke with my dad right after the announcement, and he reminded me of all the other drivers I’ve raced against, how many of them dreamed of making it to F1, and how few actually did. Very few get this opportunity. I know I will learn a lot, and even if I rarely get to race in 2026, I’ll be ready when the time comes.”
The nightmare of every third driver
The biggest challenge for a third driver is staying in top physical and mental shape in case one of the main drivers is unable to race. Reflecting on the possibility of being called up, Crawford explained: “I’ll prepare for weekends following the same process as always. First, I’ll run laps on the simulator and discuss with the engineers. Then, once the weekend starts, I’ll listen to the feedback from Lance (Stroll) and Fernando (Alonso) and assess the car’s behavior. I’ll be ready to put on the suit and helmet and get into the cockpit if needed.”
“Regarding fitness, my team and I have solid reference data for the targets I need to maintain physically. I won’t be driving regularly, which makes staying in top shape challenging. I’m already compensating with extra training for the lack of racing, so I actually feel stronger than usual. That way, if I suddenly have to race, my body will be ready,” the American continued.
What worries him most, however, is not the physical preparation but staying focused and motivated even when opportunities to race may never come. Essentially, this is the nightmare of every third driver: “I’ll need to pay special attention to the mental side. Doing all this preparation and then not being in the car for qualifying and races will be hard to manage. I’ll have to try not to get my hopes up. I just came out of F2, and I have so much to learn. Managing the mental aspect of each weekend will just be one of many challenges,” Crawford concluded.
The path from being a standout in the junior ranks to a regular F1 seat is notoriously narrow, and for Jak Crawford, 2026 represents a high-stakes apprenticeship under one of the sport’s greatest masters, Fernando Alonso. While the “nightmare” of the reserve role is real, the proximity to the inner workings of a top-tier team like Aston Martin provides a level of technical education that F2 simply cannot offer. As he balances the intense physical training with the patience required for his new role, Crawford’s journey will be a testament to the resilience required to survive in the F1 paddock. Whether his moment comes through a sudden substitution or a future vacancy, his readiness in 2026 will likely dictate the entire trajectory of his professional career.
Leave a Reply