Just one of two non-rookie drivers who currently stand in the top five in the FIA Formula 2 World Championship, the stakes are high for Jak Crawford as the final two rounds approach.
Remaining with DAMS Lucas Oil for his second consecutive year yet coming to the end of his third year in the series, the American driver will hope that his experience will help him achieve the title from second in the standings.
Early Season Struggles
It was a difficult start to the 2025 season for Crawford.
Qualifying in third position for the opening round in Melbourne, he was unable to convert his eighth position start into points during Saturday’s Sprint Race. This was due to engine issues which forced him to retire on just lap two.
Following this, due to adverse weather conditions, Sunday’s Feature Race was cancelled, resulting in another flurry of bad luck for the American driver. Unable to capitalise on his third-place qualifying position, he was never to know what could have been.
Round two in Sakhir saw Crawford fail to score points once again. Despite an impressive start in the Feature Race, which saw the DAMS Lucas Oil driver climb from P14 to P5, a slow pit-stop put him out of point contention.
Jeddah saw Crawford secure his first Pole of the season. However, the American driver once again suffered a DNF in Saturday’s Sprint Race after colliding with Gabriele Mini on lap 16.
Hoping to convert his Pole into a meaningful result in the Feature Race, Crawford was able to secure his first podium of the season, proving as a breakthrough for the driver.
Consistency Reaps Rewards
Despite a challenging start to his season, Jeddah was a turning point for Crawford in terms of consistency.
Scoring points in 13 out of the 18 races since the Saudi Arabian GP, the DAMS Lucas Oil driver has celebrated four victories and eight podiums which have accumulated to 169 points in total.
From a dominant performance at Silverstone, where Crawford led from the start in a full wet race and his first Monaco win, a testament to his strategy, patience and teamwork, the American has been able to balance risk with reward to become a championship contender.
Last Time Out
Last time out, at the 2025 Azerbaijan GP, Crawford made a statement. From Pole to the top step of the podium, the American driver proved why he is still a defining figure in the championship charge.
Following the Feature Race, Crawford was able to reflect on what qualities he holds that give him the edge over his closest championship rivals.
“The ability to get the job done under pressure, as seen this weekend [in Baku]. There was a big opportunity, from me not to be even fighting for the championship in the last two rounds and now I’m properly in the fight. I feel […] the team and I were able to put everything together and I feel like we can do it time after time,” said Jak Crawford.
“Monza, it could have been, if not for some issues, but it was the same processes there and we should have had similar results. I feel like we really excel in the races and […] race pace and race craft are the strong points.”
Looking Ahead
Alongside his Formula 2 duties, Crawford has continued his responsibilities within the Aston Martin Driver Development Programme.
At the 2025 Mexican GP, the American driver made his free practice debut with the team, taking Lance Stroll’s seat. Once again, he will also drive the AMR25 during the season-ending 2025 Abu Dhabi GP, as well as the Yas Marina young drivers’ test.
Through much of 2026, Crawford’s name was linked to Cadillac Formula 1 Team, joining the grid next year.
However, with Colton Herta being announced as the American outlet’s third driver, Crawford was instead promoted to replace Formula E bound Felipe Drugovich as the third and reserve driver for Aston Martin for the 2026 season.
The American driver has made it clear that this is his final chance, likely stepping away from the championship next year to focus on his role at Aston Martin.
Therefore, it all comes down to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, where Jak Crawford will hope to be crowned the 2025 FIA Formula 2 World Champion.
Formula 2 returns on 27 November, 2025, with the final race of the season taking place in Abu Dhabi on 7 December, 2025.
Featured Image Credit: DAMS Lucas Oil