American Formula Two driver Jak Crawford has confirmed that he is in talks with the Cadillac F1 team, which is currently preparing for its F1 debut in 2026 as the sport’s eleventh team.
At least seven drivers have been in touch with Cadillac for a potential signing for next year, as the team explores experienced and rookie talent for its initial years in the premier class of motorsport.
Racing for DAMS, Crawford is currently placed third in the championship standings, and only nine points separate him and championship leader Leonardo Fornaroli.
Crawford was part of Red Bull’s junior program before he shifted to Aston Martin. While a move to Aston Martin’s F1 team could also be something he could aim for next year, the non-availability of a full-time seat could be a factor for his interest in Cadillac.
The 20-year-old driver needs just 13 superlicense points to gain an F1 entry, and to secure them, he needs to finish P5 or above in the F2 Drivers’ Standings. Speaking to Motorsport.com, Crawford said his F1 entry is solely based on his F2 performance this year. He said:
“It depends a lot on what I do in Formula 2 this year. If I can win the championship, it would be great for my career. It could lead to many opportunities, whether [that’s] with a seat on the grid or potentially again reserve driver next year in Formula 1.
“We’re trying to find any space on the grid, whether it’s with Cadillac or Aston Martin or some other teams.”
Opening up about the progress of talks with Cadillac, Crawford said:
“There have been talks, I’ve been talking, but it’s very slow at the moment. From my side, I just need to do a good job in Formula 2.”
The F2 driver knows that he is competing with some big names who were talking to Cadillac. Former F1 drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have been strongly linked to the American outfit, and according to a report by Newsweek Sports, the two drivers have been finalized by Cadillac, with only the paperwork pending for an official confirmation. But Crawford is aware of what he needs to do to impress Cadillac. He said:
“There’s nothing I can do to compete. Actually, the only thing I can do is do well in F2. Other than that, I can’t really do anything else.”
Even if Cadillac does announce Bottas and Perez as its 2026 drivers, Crawford’s impressive track record and a high chance of gaining 13 points on his superlicense could lead to his selection as an F1 reserve driver.
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