Jak Crawford delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Abu Dhabi GP, securing second place on the grid for the final F2 Qualifying session of the season. Despite the additional demands of competing in an F1 practice session earlier in the day, the driver managed to adapt quickly to the F2 machinery and maintain a competitive pace throughout the session, finishing just behind pole-sitter Roman Staněk.
The day presented considerable challenges, with Crawford required to juggle commitments between the F1 FP1 outing and his F2 responsibilities. Yet, he demonstrated remarkable consistency, immediately establishing himself as a frontrunner upon his return to the F2 paddock. His final qualifying effort of 1:36.923 proved strong enough to secure a front-row start for Sunday’s decisive finale.
Adapting with confidence
Speaking to the media, including Pit Debrief, about his comfort level behind the wheel after such a hectic day, Crawford reflected positively on his performance. “I felt very good today,” he explained. “For sure, it feels like one of my best days on the track, in terms of driving fast and in practise. Of course, very busy with the F1 session and the FP1 and running back.”
“And straight away, being right on the pace again for the first run in F2, I was really happy with that. And I think really happy with the qualifying as a whole, honestly. I thought I would struggle with the adaptation, but straight away I had good lap times and I was really happy.”
The transition between cockpits presented an interesting technical challenge, given the significant differences between an F1 car and its F2 equivalent. However, Crawford suggested that any potential difficulties were minimal, attributing his smooth adaptation to familiarity with his own reference points.
“And the brake pedal feels a bit different, the throttle pedal feels a bit different. In terms of the feeling on the car, I had a great feeling, so I was just able to follow my references. I had good speed, even if it felt a little bit weird on the first lap, I was able to follow my references. I felt very good straight from the first lap of qualy and that gave me a lot of confidence for the rest of it.”
A Championship decided
With the Championship mathematically decided last weekend, Crawford’s focus has shifted entirely towards securing the runner-up position in the standings. Leonardo Fornaroli, the newly crowned 2025 F2 Drivers’ Champion, also qualified on the front row in third place, whilst Crawford’s rivals struggled to find form on the day. When discussing his ambitions for the remaining points available, Crawford expressed determination to maximise his opportunities. “Very excited,” he responded.
“If you can’t be first, you might as well be second. I think realistically, of course, even if I had a good weekend in Qatar, it would have been tricky to fight for the title, considering Leo’s [Fornaroli] form in Qatar and Abu Dhabi here as well in qualifying. To get second in the championship would be great. My qualifying helped that as well. I think all my rivals, let’s say, qualified quite bad.”
Crawford’s final Qualifying session in F2
As the final F2 Qualifying session of his career drew to a close in Abu Dhabi, Crawford acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the moment. When asked by Pit Debrief about what his progression as a driver in Qualifying demonstrates, he offered a reflective assessment.
“I’ve really enjoyed racing in the series and doing the qualifying and the short amount of time, the short practise, and then you need to be on and qualifying. I think that’s really helpful for the drivers and as well the racing is quite good. So, yeah, I’ll miss my time in F2 and yeah, hopefully I’m back on the couch, but in F1.”
As the field prepares for Sunday’s finale, Crawford faces the prospect of a three-way battle at the first corner alongside pole-sitter Staněk and Fornaroli. Whilst the opening lap will undoubtedly prove crucial, Crawford is mindful of the longer game ahead.
What to expect during the F2 Feature Race
When answering Pit Debrief about what to expect when all three drivers enter Turn 1 together, he adopted a measured approach. “There’s always the saying, you don’t win the race on the first corner or the first lap,” Crawford reflected.
“So, yeah, I learned that already in karting. And for sure, you take what you can get. If I have a better start, then for sure, I will have a good opportunity. But also, if I have a bad start, that doesn’t mean I have to send it because it’s a long race on Sunday and a lot can happen. So, yeah, whatever happens, happens. But, yeah, the race is not won on the first corner, at least not at this track, maybe Monaco.”
With second place on the grid secured and a clear objective to chase in the Championship standings, Crawford enters the final round of the F2 season in Abu Dhabi with momentum firmly on his side.
