Crawford asserts Cadillac F1 seat is vital, warns ‘missed opportunity'

Jak Crawford Calls on Cadillac for Formula 1 Opportunity Amid 2026 Driver Speculation

American sensation Jak Crawford has made his ambitions clear, urging Cadillac to consider him for a future seat on its forthcoming Formula 1 team. The 20-year-old, currently second in the highly competitive Formula 2 championship, highlighted that bypassing a potential F2 champion for the 2026 F1 season could be a "missed opportunity" for the American manufacturer.

Cadillac, which is gearing up to debut as Formula 1's 11th team in 2026, has yet to finalize its driver lineup. According to sources, established F1 race winners Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas are seen as prime candidates, though both drivers are rumored to be on Alpine's radar as well, complicating Cadillac’s plans.

Crawford, a Charlotte-born driver who already has extensive experience in the F1 feeder series, underscored his unique position as a young and accomplished American national—a demographic Cadillac has expressed interest in incorporating into its lineup.

“You know, it’s hard to tell what they want,” Crawford said during ESPN’s Unlapped podcast, referencing his conversations with Cadillac. “I’ve heard that they want an American driver in the seat at some point.

“I think looking at it from my side, 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. Of course, at the beginning maybe [for Cadillac] it’s not ideal … but obviously speaking for me, that’s how I see it.”

A Growing Trust in Young Talent

While some might question whether an F1 rookie at a new team is a realistic combination for success, the current grid trends suggest otherwise. In 2023, five full-time rookies joined Formula 1, showing a growing trust in young, developing talent.

A Patient but Pressured Wait

For now, Cadillac appears to be taking its time solidifying its driver roster. Team principal Graeme Lowdon acknowledged that finalizing a lineup is not an immediate priority, as the organization has its hands full with the complex logistics required to launch a new F1 team from the ground up. Lowdon has been connecting with a variety of drivers, from current competitors like Guanyu Zhou to up-and-coming prospects such as Mick Schumacher and Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti.

Crawford himself confirmed that meetings with Cadillac remain preliminary:

“That’s the same thing that they’ve told me and I’m sure all the other drivers that are trying to get into the seat,” he explained. “The last thing they’re worried about is the drivers. So 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.”

The American highlighted that his immediate focus remains on his Formula 2 campaign, believing it to be his strongest pathway to securing an F1 opportunity.

“My manager has been in talks with them for the most part. It’s not been necessary to have lots of chats at the moment from my side,” he revealed. “The focus is on F2 stuff because that’s, you know, the most important bit and that’s the bit that’s going to get me an F1 seat.”

Crawford’s Connection to Cadillac’s Motorsport Lineage

Interestingly, Crawford already boasts a link to Cadillac’s motorsport lineage through his involvement with the Andretti-run Formula E team, which has partnered with the TWG Motorsports group behind Cadillac’s Formula 1 entry. In 2022, Crawford joined Andretti’s Formula E operation as a reserve driver and participated in the team’s test events. He acknowledges the role this connection could play in Cadillac’s decision-making process.

“That’s quite an easy link for me,” Crawford said. “It’s been also quite easy to make conversation because of that. I’m already part of the family, let’s say, just because I already joined the Formula E project back at the end of last year.

“So it’s quite an easy link. And you know, it was actually perfect timing, if I look back on it, when I joined Andretti. I think it was back in October and then of course the F1 stuff, without anyone’s knowledge, was announced at the end of November.”

The Race for 2026: High Stakes and Anticipation

Although Cadillac’s F1 ambitions are garnering major attention, the clock is ticking for talented young drivers like Crawford. With a growing résumé that includes stints with top-tier development programs—he’s a former Red Bull junior and current Aston Martin development driver—Crawford has placed himself in prime position for consideration.

While Cadillac’s debut F1 season won't begin until 2026, the journey to secure its drivers is already a storyline to watch. The team’s preparations will also be featured in a Disney+ documentary, starring none other than Keanu Reeves, underlining the high stakes and anticipation surrounding this major American venture in Formula 1.

Will Jak Crawford’s Formula 2 campaign prove to be his ticket to the top? As Crawford himself admits, it’s a "waiting game"—one that could ultimately shape the future of an American driver on the F1 grid.

Up Next