Formula 1 has had a shaky relationship with American drivers. Despite Liberty Media’s extensive efforts to capture the $69 billion US sports market, the historically Euro-centric sport hasn’t produced a competitive American driver this century. Jak Crawford, the highest ranked American in the pipeline to F1, hopes he can change that.
The 19-year-old, raised on the go-kart tracks of Texas, has secured two wins and 10 podiums throughout his Formula 2 career, currently racing for DAMS Lucas Oil. “It’s crazy to think I’m the closest American to F1,” Crawford told Motorsport.
“Americans want to see a driver who’s winning and doing really well for their country, so that’s my goal. I have a great opportunity to become the American driver [if] I’m able to do it.”
Crawford is currently fifth place in the F2 standings — ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman who are bound for F1 seats with Mercedes and Haas, respectively, next season. “Being ahead of them in the championship gives me confidence and reassurance that I could do that too if I get the chance,” he said. Crawford had also surpassed Argentina’s Franco Colapinto in F2 standings, who was called up to F1 by Williams over the summer. “I’m looking forward to getting that chance one day to show what I can do,” he added confidently.
There’s a myriad of factors that have led to the 46-year drought since an American last stood on the top step of an F1 podium (Mario Andretti claimed victory at the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix). Above all, the ladder to F1 is virtually impossible to climb without relocating to Europe as a teenager.
Crawford, for his part, moved to England by himself at 14 to follow the well-worn European developmental path. “It was eye-opening for sure. You don’t realize how much you don’t know until you’re asking your mom how to work the dishwasher,” the softly-spoken Texan said with a laugh. Signing a five-year deal with the Red Bull Driver Academy in 2019, he secured a fully-financed seat in Formula 4. Before that, his karting career was funded by his dad, Tim, who thought the youngster was destined for a career in NASCAR. That was until Helmut Marko, godfather of the illustrious junior program, offered Crawford a life-changing contract.
“It was great at the beginning. The academy gave me a great path and helped me chase my dreams, especially when I started in F4,” he reflected. However, the relationship…
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