Aston Martin confirmed that American youngster Jak Crawford will take the wheel for a third Free Practice 1 session at the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix, stepping in for Fernando Alonso in the AMR26.
The 21‑year‑old has already logged two FP1 outings this season – a stint in Japan driving Alonso’s car and a recent run in Austria replacing Lance Stroll – and added two appearances at the tail end of the 2025 campaign. The Belgian session satisfies the team’s mandatory third rookie practice, one of four such runs each outfit must complete. Crawford’s recent résumé includes a hill‑climb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the 2025 AMR25, a Pirelli tyre test in Barcelona, and a runner‑up finish in the 2025 Formula 2 championship with four wins for DAMS Lucas Oil.
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With the Belgian GP looming, the extra seat time gives Aston Martin valuable data on the new AMR26 and helps Crawford sharpen his pace ahead of a full‑season drive. Observers will watch whether the extra practice translates into stronger qualifying performance for the team, and the young driver’s progress will be a key storyline as the championship heads into its summer phase.
