Crawford will drive the AMR24 in Abu Dhabi
Aston Martin Formula 1 development driver Jak Crawford is to drive the AMR24 for the first time in the Abu Dhabi young driver test.
The American’s deal with the team has always included the end-of-season running, but matters were complicated by discussions over the addition of a rookie sprint event, with the team’s longtime reserve Felipe Drugovich the obvious candidate to do the race.
There was even a suggestion that they would split the day, with Crawford testing and Drugovich doing the qualifying session and sprint, although it’s understood that the FIA wanted to have the same driver stay in the car.
However in the end the sprint was abandoned, leaving the team to run Crawford for the full day as planned.
Crawford, who is currently lying fifth in the FIA F2 championship, has already had some TPC running in the AMR22 in Austria.
“I’ve spent lots of hours on the simulator back at the AMR Technology Campus, and I will be continuing this ahead of the test to make sure I am well prepared,” said Crawford.
“Yas Marina is a circuit I know well, so hopefully this will help me get up to speed quickly. I would like to say a big thanks to everyone at Aston Martin Aramco for the chance to drive this year’s car in the test.”
Team boss Mike Krack said of Crawford: “He’s already shown a high level of understanding in previous tests with us this year and I know he will be working hard in preparation for the test alongside competing in the final two rounds of the F2 Championship.”
Adam Cooper F1 