Aston Martin F1 has announced that American driver Jack Crawford will take on the newly created role of “third driver” for the 2026 season — a title the team has never used before. The move has sparked curiosity across the paddock, not just for what it means for Crawford, but for what it might signal about Aston Martin’s broader plans ahead of its partnership with Honda.
Until now, Aston Martin’s backup and development roles were filled by Felipe Drugovich and Stoffel Vandoorne, who were always described as “test and reserve drivers.” The “third driver” designation marks a break from tradition. According to Aston Martin’s official statement, Crawford will serve as the team’s reserve driver for all races next season — yet the decision to rebrand the position has left many wondering if something more strategic is brewing.
In Formula 1 terminology, “third driver” and “test driver” are often used interchangeably, but teams sometimes make the distinction when they want to separate race reserves from development drivers. That raises two possibilities: either Aston is rebranding the reserve role entirely, or it intends to bring in a separate driver as backup — possibly Yuki Tsunoda, given Honda’s growing involvement with the team from 2026.
The timing of the change is telling. From next season, Aston Martin’s power units will come from Honda, marking a new era for the Silverstone outfit. Tsunoda, currently with the Red Bull–aligned Racing Bulls team, remains one of Honda’s key protégés. If Red Bull reshuffles its lineup or sidelines him, a reserve or testing role at Aston Martin would be a natural fit — especially if the team’s new “third driver” label is meant to clear space for another name under the Honda umbrella.
For Crawford, though, the appointment is a milestone. The 19-year-old Texan joined Aston Martin’s driver development program in 2024 and has quietly impressed both on track and in the simulator. This year alone, he’s logged over 2,000 kilometers in F1 machinery and made his official Grand Prix weekend debut at the Mexico City GP, where he filled in for Lance Stroll during FP1.
“Over the last two years, Jack has proven himself to be a valuable member of our driver team. He’s shown real potential in testing and has contributed significantly in the simulator with car setup and development feedback.”
said team principal Andy Cowell.
Crawford, currently competing in Formula 2, welcomed the announcement with enthusiasm:
“I am honored to be appointed as the third driver. I’ll keep learning from the team and do everything I can to help Aston Martin move forward.”
His appointment comes at a time when American drivers are gaining momentum in Formula 1. With three U.S. races — Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas — the sport’s profile in North America is higher than ever, and Aston Martin’s choice to elevate a young American talent is a shrewd marketing move. It helps the team tap into one of the fastest-growing F1 fan bases while keeping a promising prospect close.
Drugovich, meanwhile, is expected to part ways with Aston Martin at the end of the season. After serving as reserve for three years without a race opportunity, the Brazilian has opted to resume full-time competition, signing with a Formula E team for 2026. That departure created a natural opening for Crawford’s promotion.
The “third driver” title may simply be semantics — a fresh label for a familiar job. But given Aston Martin’s approaching Honda partnership, it could be more than that. By formalizing the position, the team might be laying the groundwork for a more complex driver structure that accommodates both its in-house development talents and Honda’s own interests.
For now, Crawford stands as a symbol of Aston Martin’s future-facing strategy: young, technically adept, and commercially valuable. His next steps will depend on how competitive the AMR26 — the team’s first car under the 2026 regulations — turns out to be. If it delivers, Crawford’s “third driver” title might not stay symbolic for long.
