DAMS signs Jak Crawford for the 2024 Formula 2 season
Jak Crawford has joined DAMS for the 2024 Formula 2 Championship, thus continuing his junior career without the support of Red Bull. The second driver has not been announced yet, but it will not be either Ayumu Iwasa or Arthur Leclerc, Charles Leclerc's brother.
The 18-year-old American drove for Hitech GP in 2023, securing his first victory in the sprint race at the Red Bull Ring, as well as four other podium finishes. He now joins the French team DAMS for his second season and will participate in post-season testing in Abu Dhabi with the team later in the week.
Crawford confirmed earlier this month that he would no longer be a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. We are grateful for Red Bull’s funding for four years, and honestly, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve much without their support, he said. We wanted to make key decisions and we informed them midway through the year.
After that, they didn’t renew my contract for the fifth and final year, so now we have control. I really appreciate everyone at Red Bull, especially Rocky (Guillaume Rocquelin). I really enjoyed the past two years with him at the factory.
Crawford said: « I am very happy to join DAMS for 2024. I believe the team is the best place for me for the upcoming season to make the most out of myself as a driver in my second Formula 2 season. »
« I was impressed by the work ethic and achievements of the team. I believe that together, we can achieve solid results in next year’s campaign. […] Our goal for next year is to make the most of every race weekend. I am excited to join DAMS for the post-season testing and start working with them before the upcoming season.
The team owner, Charles Pic, added: “We are delighted to have such a young talent in Jak, who will be driving for us next season. […] He has already shown his abilities and dedication throughout his career, and has proven that he is ready to compete at the front in F2 with his victory and podiums this year.”
« We are delighted to work with him during the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi and to undertake a strong campaign together in 2024 ».
For now, the second Dams driver has not been announced, it will apparently be announced before Christmas, but it will not be any of the regular drivers in 2023. Ayumu Iwasa will go to Super Formula next year and Arthur Leclerc is on track to join GT.
