Jak Crawford: American F2 Star Eyes Cadillac F1 Drive Amid Culture Change
Jak Crawford, the young American racing driver from Charlotte, North Carolina, is making headlines on both sides of the Atlantic. Currently sitting second in the 2025 Formula 2 championship, Crawford has proven himself as one of the brightest prospects in international single-seater racing. His rapid adaptation from life in the United States to Milton Keynes in the UK, and his ability to embrace British motorsport culture, have been central to his rise as an F2 title contender.
Crawford’s transition to the UK came with significant culture shock, but he credits the experience with broadening his racing perspective and sharpening his craft. Now, with an F2 title in his sights, the next big question is whether he will secure a coveted seat in Formula 1, particularly with the upcoming Cadillac team set to join the grid in 2026.
Cadillac, planning to become F1’s 11th team, has made no secret of its interest in featuring an American driver as part of its debut campaign. Crawford’s consistent results, including race wins and podiums, make him a natural fit for the role. “If I was to win the championship in F2 or finish very high, I feel like it would almost be a missed opportunity to not have an American driver in the seat," Crawford explained, highlighting the unique synergy between his success and Cadillac’s ambitions for American representation in Formula 1.
The F2 championship for 2025 has seen Crawford regularly challenging at the front, notching victories and holding second in the drivers’ standings behind Richard Verschoor. His performances have firmly placed him in conversations among F1 team principals and talent scouts. Outside of his F2 campaign, Crawford serves as a reserve driver for Andretti’s Formula E operation and is also a development driver for Aston Martin. His existing link to Cadillac runs deeper than nationality—he joined the Andretti ranks before the Cadillac F1 project was publicly announced, establishing a relationship that could prove pivotal as the new team finalizes its plans.
Despite the appeal of a homegrown rookie, Cadillac faces other strong contenders for its seats. Senior F1 race winners Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas are reportedly high on Cadillac’s shortlist, with both drivers also attracting interest from Alpine. Team boss Graeme Lowdon has stated that deciding the driver line-up isn’t an immediate priority as the operation focuses on setting up the wider structure and technical staff for the inaugural season.
Crawford acknowledges the uncertainty in the process. “It’s a big, big waiting game. It doesn’t feel like there’s much anyone can do at the moment, which as a driver sucks. You’re just kind of in limbo,” he noted. Still, his approach remains clear: performance comes first. “The focus is on F2 stuff because that's the most important bit and that's the bit that's going to get me an F1 seat.”
The trend in Formula 1 of backing talented rookies has continued in 2025, with five newcomers racing full-time in F1 this year. If Crawford clinches the F2 championship or finishes near the top, he is well-placed to become the next American to step up to the premier class, especially as the sport’s popularity grows in the United States.
Cadillac’s journey to Formula 1 will be documented in a Disney+ series fronted by Keanu Reeves, adding to the spotlight on both team and driver. With his combination of American roots, European racing education, and demonstrated potential, Jak Crawford is one of the most compelling young talents in the sport. For now, he remains focused on the Formula 2 title fight, but his ambitions—and the ambitions of Cadillac—could converge in a landmark 2026 debut for the new American team in Formula 1.
