A brilliant drive in the F2 British GP Feature Race saw Jak Crawford leading from start to finish. Pole sitter Victor Martins had a rough start, allowing the American to take the lead instantly. Despite this stellar driver, conversation remained surrounding the potential of an unlawful pit stop.
Today’s points add to his tally, that already has him in title contention, pushing him further into the mix. Earning 25 points in the Feature Race, Crawford has jumped from P3 to P2 in the standings, with 116 points, just 6 behind the leader, Richard Verschoor.
Third win of the 2025 season, but the most stressful yet
Crawford’s win during the F2 British GP Feature Race, set his total race wins for the season to three. Despite this, Crawford agrees that this was his most stressful win this year. From the beginning, the American knew this would be a long race, with the need to save tyres.
Teams were aware the track would begin to dry out, Crawford acknowledging how much more straight forward, a completely wet race would have been. The first parts of the F2 Feature Race were calm and simple, though towards the end things heated up. With Dunne continually closing in before Crawford boxed, pressure began to build.
“I wish it was a lot more straightforward if it was just a wet race the entire race, but obviously we knew it’s gonna start to dry out, and we knew it’s gonna be a long race and that we needed to save the tyres.
“Obviously the end was super stressful, what tire to go on, all that and obviously I had Alex behind me as well within half a second last couple laps before I boxed
“I had to make all those decisions with with the pressure from Alex. So yeah it was definitely it was quite a chill race until the last you know, five laps.”
A launch off the start to take the lead
Friday’s Qualifying session for the F2 British GP, saw Crawford securing a P3 start. Although, after lining himself up well on the grid, and getting a great launch, he quickly snatched the lead by the first turn. Dunne had an average start from P2, and slotted in behind Crawford for the long race ahead.
“Yeah on the formation lap, already I knew I was going to be quite strong on the start. I just, I felt good grip and then yeah, I had the perfect launch, Victor barely moved, Alex still had a decent start and just had to split the gap.
“I already positioned my car ahead of time ,I felt I was gonna have a good start. I did, so that sets you up the best you know. It’s when you’re out front leading the race.”
The title fight ahead
Crawford entered the weekend already in the fight for the title after a great weekend in Austria. Although, leaving Silverstone, the American has solidified his position in the titled fight. The drivers standing on the British GP podium beside him, are well into this title fight also. Wins like this one help to separate himself from them.
“Yeah great, I would say properly in it now after Austria. It’s changing every weekend you know, I’m racing the same guys every weekend.
“Luke and Alex here, they’re also fighting for the championship so yeah, it seems like we’re always racing each other, which is keeping it close so it’s just about getting the wins like today. That separates you apart a little bit.”
The most popular category in America
On the road to Formula 1, Crawford has made it clear that he believes Formula 1 to be the greatest category of motorsport. When asked which category of motorsport he believed to be the most popular in America, he responded, “I mean I would put Formula One at the top I may be a little bit biased.“
He continued on to mention that for most Americans, Formula 1 would also be their top choice. Although, he does not discredit the popularity of IndyCar.
“I don’t know the numbers or anything, and I don’t really look at it too much. But for me obviously, the open wheel cars are top.
“You know, F1 has a huge growth. I’ve had all my friends tell me about the F1 movie and stuff, so yeah, I’m sure it’s growing bigger and bigger.
“I don’t know if it’s bigger than IndyCar, but of course I would rank it above IndyCar.”
Racing close to Aston Martin’s team base
Being part of the Aston Martin family, Silverstone acts as a home race for the American, with the team’s base just down the road. Crawford saw victory in Silverstone last season, although that win was snatched away from him by a penalty.
This year, he bounced back to win it once again, except the conditions were far trickier. Despite this fight back to the top, Crawford faces the potential of another penalty taking his win.
“It was great to win this race, it’s one I really want to win, it’s kind of like my home race, closest thing I have to a home race, you know with Aston Martin here. I live not too far from here.
“I won the race last year and I got a penalty and yeah I was super bummed. This is the one I wanted redemption for, this is the one I wanted to win this year, and yeah we did it in much trickier conditions than I imagined.
“But of course again to do it on 4th of July weekend, American Independence is is great.”
The potential for an F1 promotion
With another American team joining the Formula 1 grid in 2026, Crawford was of course question on whether he stood a chance for a seat. He acknowledged that as of current, he does not have any Formula 1 options for next year. Despite this, he remains aware of just how crucial his F2 performance is if he wants a F1 seat.
“In terms of options for next year, at the moment I don’t know. I wish I did. What I do know, is that if I do a good job in F2, that things will come and you know I just need to keep what I’m doing.”
Conversation surrounding his pit stop before VSC
During the F2 British GP Feature Race, Crawford made his way into the pit lane, seemingly as the VSC lights went on. This left questions surrounding whether he unlawfully entered the pit lane, or whether he entered just in time.
In response to these questions, Crawford remained unaware of what the stewards were thinking. He is unaware whether he even did anything wrong.
“I don’t even know when the stewards, or if they’re looking at it, or what happened. I just basically had the VSC when I went over the line.
“I don’t know uh yeah, I don’t know the rules. I don’t know what the rules are for this weekend, it’s kind of different every weekend, so I have to look at it and see.”
