Aston Martin has opted to select Formula 2 racer Jak Crawford for this year’s Formula 1 young driver test, bypassing its reserve driver Felipe Drugovich. Both drivers are part of Aston Martin’s development programme, with Drugovich, the 2022 F2 champion, being highly regarded due to his role supporting the team behind the scenes.
Crawford, who became a member of the Aston Martin setup in February, made his debut in an F1 test in June, driving a two-year-old car at the Red Bull Ring. Recently, while confirming his plans to remain in F2 for 2025, Crawford hinted at more F1 testing opportunities for this year, along with an expanded involvement with the team for next season.
The young driver test is scheduled to take place at the Yas Marina Circuit during the week following the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which runs from December 6-8. Speaking about the upcoming test, Crawford expressed his enthusiasm, stating that he’s thrilled to get behind the wheel of the AMR24 in Abu Dhabi. He mentioned the extensive time spent in the simulator at the AMR Technology Campus, preparing for the event and ensuring he is well-equipped for the task. Crawford is familiar with the Yas Marina Circuit and hopes this experience will allow him to quickly adapt to the car. He extended his gratitude to Aston Martin for the chance to drive the AMR24 in the test.
Aston Martin’s team principal, Mike Krack, also shared his thoughts on Crawford’s upcoming test, expressing confidence in the young driver’s abilities. Krack highlighted Crawford’s impressive understanding shown in previous tests and mentioned that he will continue to work hard in preparation for the test while also focusing on his final races in the F2 championship.
Meanwhile, Drugovich, who has been named to drive for Aston Martin in free practice at this month’s Mexico City Grand Prix, is already exploring opportunities outside of F1. The Brazilian recently completed his first IndyCar test, suggesting he may be considering a switch to another racing series. Drugovich has been selected by Aston Martin for the post-season young driver test in the past two years, but this time, the focus has shifted to Crawford for the 2024 session.
The decision to give Crawford this key opportunity over Drugovich highlights Aston Martin’s confidence in their younger prospect, and it will be interesting to see how both drivers’ careers evolve in the coming seasons.
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