Aston Martin Confirms Jak Crawford for FP1 Debut at Japanese Grand Prix 2026

Silverstone, UK – March 23, 2026: The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team has officially announced that rising American talent Jak Crawford will participate in Free Practice 1 (FP1) at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, stepping into the AMR26 in place of veteran driver Fernando Alonso.

This outing marks Crawford’s first FP1 session of the 2026 season as the team’s Third Driver and represents a key milestone in his development within the Formula One ecosystem. The session also fulfills one of the mandatory rookie driver practice requirements set by the sport.

Key Opportunity at Suzuka Circuit

Crawford’s FP1 appearance will take place at the iconic Suzuka Circuit, widely regarded as one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar. Despite never having driven at Suzuka before, Crawford’s extensive simulator work at Aston Martin’s Silverstone base is expected to play a crucial role in his on-track performance.

The 20-year-old driver has already built a solid foundation in Formula One machinery. He participated in two FP1 sessions during the latter stages of the 2025 season, and with over 3,000 km logged in Aston Martin F1 cars, this will be his third FP1 outing in less than six months.

Driver and Team Reactions

Expressing his excitement, Crawford said the opportunity to drive at Suzuka is a dream come true:

“I’m really excited to get behind the wheel and drive for the team at Suzuka. It’s such a historic yet demanding circuit, and I can’t wait to apply what I’ve learned in the simulator to real track conditions. A big thank you to the team for giving me this opportunity.”

Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer Mike Krack emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent within the team:

“It’s great that we’re able to give Jak another opportunity in FP1 as part of our ongoing commitment to developing young talent. He has been working hard, especially in the simulator back at Silverstone, and this session will allow him to continue building valuable track experience.”

Strategic Development Focus

Crawford’s participation highlights Aston Martin’s broader strategy of investing in future stars while maximizing valuable track data during race weekends. His feedback during FP1 will contribute to the team’s setup and performance analysis ahead of qualifying and race day.