Jak Crawford will make his FIA Formula 2 debut this weekend in Bahrain. Crawford spoke to the media ahead of the first round of the 2023 season about this weekend’s track and his expectations.
The 17 year old American steps up from F3 after an impressive season in which he finished seventh in a highly competitive field.
“The test went quite well for us, the performance was a little off but it was really hard to tell on Qualifying pace because everyone was so close and I think that we have a good speed.”
“I think it will be different on the race weekend. So I’m excited for that. Race pace was looking really good, we had probably top 5 race pace.”
“So I think that overall, for the first race weekend, we are looking really promising and I am very excited to get started. I think from my side and from the team as well I think we are fully prepared for the start of the season.”
“We did three test days, which is not a lot but I’ve done plenty of time in the sim, lots of days at the workshop, putting in the effort and the work. I think it will all pay off in the end and we can start the season well, I believe we are fully prepared.”
“Bahrain as a track is quite nice, it has all kinds of different corners. It has high speed, low speed, fast chicanes, slow chicanes, a bit of everything. Since we do so many testing days here we are all quite familiar with the track.”
“I do like it and I raced here last year in F3, it wasn’t the best weekend but we are still really quick and I think we’ll have the chance to be quick this year as well.”
“The most important section I’d say is Sector 2. Sector 1 and Sector 3 only have two corners. Sector 2 is where the lap time is and if you are fast there you are most likely going to be at the front. Nailing the first and third sectors is just about keeping it clean and the work is in the second sector.”
“From my side, I don’t have many expectations for the weekend, I just want to go out there and do my best and not leave anything on the table and not have any regrets. I think we have what we need and it should be really good.”
Crawford is one of nine drivers who have graduated to Formula 2 this season. One of those is his teammate with Hitech, Isack Hadjar who fought for the F3 title last year.
Image: Formula Motorsport Limited
