Jak Crawford to replace Lance Stroll in Aston Martin's first practice in Mexico City

A Friday swap in Mexico

Aston Martin will field a different driver in the opening hour of the Mexico City weekend. The team has confirmed that Jak Crawford, its 21-year-old reserve, will drive the AMR26 in first practice while Lance Stroll sits out the session. The announcement came on the eve of the United States Grand Prix, the opening round of the season's triple-header that continues in Mexico City and São Paulo.

Crawford said he was looking forward to \"getting back behind the wheel of the AMR26 in Mexico City\", a circuit he called special because it was the scene of his first Friday practice outing a year ago.

Why the seat changes hands

Every team has to give a rookie, defined as a driver with two or fewer grands prix starts, a run in first practice on four occasions per season. Each of a team's race drivers has to give up a cockpit twice a year to make this possible. Mexico City will be the fourth and final such session for Aston Martin in 2026. Crawford has already driven in first practice at Suzuka, the Red Bull Ring and Spa this year.

Mike Krack, Aston Martin's chief trackside officer, said the team was pleased to give Crawford another opportunity in the car.

Crawford's route

Crawford finished runner-up in the 2025 Formula 2 championship and has since combined simulator work and testing with his practice appearances, building a case for a future race seat. He will return to a car that has had a demanding season.

By the numbers

Our race data shows how tough 2026 has been for Aston Martin. Fernando Alonso has scored 7 points and sits 17th in the drivers' standings; his best finish is eighth, in Kuala Lumpur. Stroll has no points and is 21st. In the last six races he has not been classified five times, and across the 17 rounds so far he has been unclassified in 12.

Mexico City hosts the race on 1 November.