Jack Crawford, the young American sensation, has boldly stated he wouldn’t hesitate to explore groundbreaking opportunities with Cadillac’s future Formula 1 team if Aston Martin fails to provide him with a race seat. The partnership between Cadillac and Andretti Global, preparing for Cadillac's entry to F1 by 2026, has rekindled hopes for American drivers on the grid, with Crawford now reportedly at the center of those ambitions.
Currently serving as Aston Martin’s reserve driver, Crawford is keeping all options open when it pertains to his future in F1. After debuting at the Abu Dhabi postseason test, Crawford acknowledged the allure of any racing seat—and not just with Aston Martin. “Of course, I’m here with Aston Martin now, planning to learn and grow with them,” Crawford remarked. “But if any race seat opens, I would definitely want it. That’s my dream.”
At just 18 years old, Crawford is waving the flag for America as he contends for the title of the highest-ranked American driver in European junior categories. While IndyCar features several American talents, Crawford believes his accomplishments make him the strongest choice for any upcoming American F1 seat. “Next year, I’ll be competing in F2. There aren’t many Americans in F2 and F3,” Crawford explained. “So, from this perspective, I’m definitely the top American on the European side for now.”
Crawford's optimism is bolstered by his performance during the Abu Dhabi test, where he got his first taste of driving an F1 car under pressure and felt confident about his abilities. “I felt very comfortable in the car,” he revealed. “You never really know how you’ll perform during your first official session, but I felt I did well.” He believes recent successes of his F2 rivals, who have already advanced to F1 and proven competitive, lend credence to his own potential. “It gives me confidence to compete, especially because many of this year’s F2 rivals have moved up and are already doing well in F1.”
While Crawford’s immediate focus is on Aston Martin, the reality of the crowded grid leaves open the potential for future moves to Cadillac. With General Motors and Andretti vying for their spot in F1, showing clear support for American drivers, Crawford is poised to seize such opportunities. If Aston Martin fails to live up to their development promises and race seat offerings, Crawford could become Cadillac’s marquee signing—a move set to establish him as the face of American motorsport on the F1 grid.
Crawford’s ultimate goal is clear: “It’s my dream to race in Formula 1.” Whether he realizes this dream with Aston Martin’s green or Cadillac’s white and blue remains to be seen. One thing is certain—Crawford’s talent, confidence, and timing put him on the brink of something special. If Cadillac is serious about bringing American firepower to F1, they may have already found their driver.
Meanwhile, the Formula 1 rumor mill has been abuzz about whether four-time world champion Max Verstappen would ever switch from Red Bull to Mercedes. Recently, Verstappen laid bare the swirling speculations and dialogue surrounding potential moves, acknowledging nearness of such scenarios yet emphasizing his contentment with Red Bull. The latter’s partnership with Honda for Aston Martin’s future and the impending radical changes in rules set for 2026 loom large over discussions, with uncertainty about how these developments might shift the competitive balance.
Rumors intensified following Lewis Hamilton’s shocking transfer to Ferrari earlier this year, sending ripple effects throughout the paddock as Mercedes sought his successor. With Verstappen as the preferred candidate—being both the reigning champion and one of the sport’s superstars—conversations commenced. “Of course, we’re always talking to each other; there’s no lie about us sitting together,” Verstappen remarked during his talk with Viaplay. This reiteration of dialogue points to the high stakes involved, but for now, Verstappen remains loyal to Red Bull, describing it as “a second family” and expressing appreciation for their role in his career development.
With new F1 regulations about to arrive, which will focus on electric power and sustainable fuel, the dynamics remain tenuous. While many speculate whether these regulations could catalyze shifts among teams and drivers—Verstappen reminded everyone during his interview, “2026 might bring new rules, but I’m honestly not busy thinking about it now.” He made it clear through his statements he is not pondering potential switches at this moment and feels secure with Red Bull’s vision moving forward.
Verstappen’s affirmations stem from both his successful history with Red Bull and the chaos encircling the team’s leadership. Any thoughts he might have had about leaving are overshadowed by his current commitments and aspirations within Red Bull. “I’ve achieved much success with Red Bull; it’s like my second family,” he stated, reinforcing his tight-knit relationship. By no means is Verstappen ready to pack up and seek out new ventures without due consideration and reflection.
On the horizon, the prospect of Verstappen departing F1 altogether raises additional questions. His contract runs through 2028, and as he prepares for fatherhood with his partner Kelly Piquet next year, his priorities may inevitably shift. “F1 is not just for me; I want to do plenty of other things after it,” he added, underlining the increasing complexity of his future decisions. While Mercedes made approaches, Verstappen’s message is clear: he is living comfortably alongside Red Bull and intends to stay as long as it aligns with his goals and aspirations.
For now, Verstappen remains the bedrock of Red Bull, fiercely dedicated to his team’s endeavors. Rumors may persist on his future, but his current reality lies firmly within the world he knows and champions.
