Aston Martin confirmed on October 22 that third driver Jak Crawford will drive Lance Stroll's AMR26 in first practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix. It will be the 21-year-old American's fourth FP1 this season, completing the team's four mandatory rookie practice appearances for the year.
Returning a year later to the circuit of his practice debut
Crawford is from Houston, Texas, and the team announced his next outing during his home United States Grand Prix weekend. Mexico also has special significance: he made his first F1 Grand Prix weekend free-practice appearance there in 2025. One year later, he returns with three appearances already completed this season.
F1's website listed this season's outings in Japan, Austria and Belgium. Crawford joined Aston Martin's driver development program in 2024 and, after finishing his third F2 season last year, continued through testing, simulator work and Grand Prix weekends. Mexico extends that existing third-driver role.
In the team announcement, Crawford described his task as making full use of practice and providing useful feedback. He said he had learned much on track and in the simulator this season and looked forward to taking that experience to Mexico. Compared with last year's debut, he hoped to return to the car with more experience.
The team values accumulated testing and feedback
Head of Trackside Operations Mike Krack said Crawford's simulator and testing contributions were valuable. FP1 offers another chance to demonstrate his ability while helping prepare the Mexico weekend. For the driver it adds real-car experience; for the team the priority remains completing its program and collecting feedback.
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The arrangement connects rookie-session obligations with existing development work. Practice in Japan, Austria and Belgium, together with regular testing and simulator work, provides Crawford's experience before returning to the AMR26. The driver emphasizes applying lessons in the car, and the team emphasizes feedback for weekend preparation: their purposes align.
Returning to the circuit of his debut also provides a clear comparison: last year marked his first Grand Prix practice experience; this year follows continuous work with the team. That accumulated experience must be demonstrated through completing the program and giving feedback, explaining why both sides focus on specific tasks.
Conclusion
Mexico will complete Crawford's four FP1 appearances and Aston Martin's mandatory rookie practice commitments this season. His assignment is clear: drive Stroll's car, transfer testing and simulator experience to the track and provide feedback for the team's next work.
