Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Aston Martin Driver Academy

  • Paatz joins F1 Academy grid with Aston Martin

    Mathilda Paatz will embark on her first F1 Academy campaign next year, with Aston Martin signing the 17 year old for the 2026 season.

    Hailing from Cologne, the German racer began her racing career in karting in 2019, going on to score a third-place finish in the 2020 ADAC Kart Masters – Mini category and a standout victory in 2022 ADAC Kart Masters – Ladies Cup.

    After transitioning to single-seaters for the 2024 French F4 campaign, she claimed two wins in the 2025 E4 Championship – Trophy Woman and a podium finish in the F4 Central European Zone Championship, on her way to finishing eighth in the Standings.

    Additionally, Paatz made her F1 Academy debut as the Wild Card entry for Round 4 in Montreal, driving the #8 Gatorade-liveried car operated by Hitech TGR.

    Selected by Aston Martin after excelling in a rigorous four-driver evaluation programme, Paatz also joins the team’s Driver Academy and will be competing with PREMA Racing next year.

    I’m really proud to be representing Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team in F1 ACADEMY next year. This is something I’ve worked incredibly hard for and my focus now is on preparing for the season ahead. There will be lots to learn, including several new circuits, but I feel confident knowing I have so much support from Aston Martin Aramco and PREMA Racing. I had a great first day at the AMRTC in Silverstone meeting so many incredible people from the Aston Martin Aramco team. I immediately felt at home and everybody was very welcoming. I couldn’t be happier and I can’t wait to get racing!
    Paatz on the news.

    In partnership with PREMA Racing, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of four drivers before selecting who would represent Aston Martin Aramco in the 2026 F1 ACADEMY series. To ensure a rigorous and fair assessment, we held a shootout at the demanding Mugello circuit, giving each driver a day in an F4 car to showcase their capabilities. Mathilda not only emerged as the fastest driver, but also demonstrated consistency, maturity and a competitive spirit. Her performance was strong enough not just to secure the F1 ACADEMY seat, but also to earn herself a place in the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Driver Academy. We are delighted to welcome her as both our F1 ACADEMY driver and a member of our development programme, and we look forward to supporting her throughout this exciting next step in her career.
    Nuno Pinto, Racing Director of Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Driver Academy.

  • PREMA confirm the signing of Boya

    PREMA Racing have announced the signing of Mari Boya for the 2026 FIA Formula 2 season.

    Boya makes the step up after a strong 2025 campaign in Formula 3, in which he fought the title having achieved five podiums in total, including a victory at the Silverstone Feature Race.

    The Spaniard wound up third in the Standings before competing in the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, where he finished second.

    The Aston Martin Driver Academy member will now step up to Formula 2 with PREMA, and speaking at the announcement, Boya expressed excited he was to get started with the team.

    Super excited about joining PREMA for my rookie FIA Formula 2 season. Really eager to start working with the team. I feel I have a great opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things go. I’m particularly happy to have longer races than in F3, which I really like, and also pit-stops and tyre deg to deal with. Let’s hope for a good season.
    Boya on the news.

    We are happy to welcome Mari to the team. If we look at his career, we see a strong progression, and in addition to his speed skills, we know he is a smart and hard-working driver. We are looking forward to seeing how these skills will mix with the team, and we are confident he will continue his form to bring home positive results.
    Rene Rosin, PREMA Racing Team Principal.

  • Aston Martin confirm Crawford as third driver

    Aston Martin have confirmed that Formula 2 Championship hopeful Jak Crawford will become their third driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

    Crawford has been a member of the team’s Young Driver Development Programme since 2024, accumulating over 2000km in Formula 1 machinery since then.

    The 20 year old took part in the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi last year and made his Grand Prix weekend debut in Mexico City just a few weeks ago.

    Crawford is in the midst of a tightly fought Formula 2 title battle, sitting second in the Drivers’ Championship on 169 points – just 19 points behind leader, Leonardo Fornaroli heading into the final two rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

    The young American is now set to take up a full-time Formula 1 role with Aston Martin, and expressed how delighted he was to be given the opportunity.

    I’m incredibly proud to be confirmed as the Third Driver for 2026. It’s a huge moment in my journey with Aston Martin Aramco and a big motivation to keep learning and contributing. Over the past two seasons, I’ve learned so much from being in the Formula 1 environment, both at the factory and trackside. I’ll be doing everything I can to support the team and continue developing as a driver.
    Crawford on the news.

    It is great to see Jak progress to become our Third Driver for 2026. Over the past two years, he has shown his value as a key member of our driver squad and built up a valuable bank of experience and test mileage. Jak has impressed in the simulator, having completed regular sessions at the AMR Technology Campus to support our race operations and car development. Jak’s performances in Formula 2 have also been outstanding, and we are excited to continue supporting his growth as he takes on a bigger role.
    Andy Cowell, Aston Martin Team Principal.

  • Jak Crawford to make FP1 debut

    United States racer Jak Crawford will make his Formula 1 weekend debut at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix when he gets a rookie run-out for Aston Martin.

    Crawford will take over the AMR25 of Lance Stroll during Free Practice 1 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, in one of the team’s four mandated rookie outings for 2025.

    Crawford is currently P2 in the Formula 2 standings – while the Houston, Texas born driver has a wealth of experience in F1 machinery, having racked up over 2,000km of testing in various Aston Martin F1 cars, as well as being a regular in the team’s simulator at their Silverstone headquarters.

    Crawford is not the only rookie taking part in the FP1 sessions, with nine different rookies taking part.

    I’m thrilled to drive the AMR25 next week in Mexico for my first official Formula One session. I’ve worked closely with the team all year, so to now take the next step and get track time on a Grand Prix weekend is really exciting. Announcing this in Texas, where I’m from, makes it even more special after a busy week with the team and Aramco in Houston.
    Crawford on the news.

    It’s fantastic to give Jak the opportunity to take part in FP1 in Mexico. He’s shown real maturity and provided strong technical feedback throughout the year, and these sessions are an important part of how we develop young talent. Jak has had a strong season in Formula 2 and has been a key contributor to the development of both the AMR25 and AMR26. This is a great chance for him to continue progressing while helping us gather valuable data.
    Andy Cowell, CEO and Team Principal of Aston Martin.

  • Aston Martin launch Driver Academy & sign Mari Boya

    Aston Martin have announced the launch of their new Driver Academy, with Formula 3 racer Mari Boya becoming the first signing to the programme.

    Designed to identify, support and develop exceptional driving talent, the Driver Academy builds on the team’s driver development programme and aims to prepare up-and-coming talent for the upper echelons of motorsport.

    Boya- currently competing in Formula 3 for Campos Racing – has become the first driver to sign to the programme, the 21 year old having experienced early success in karting before climbing the ranks up to Formula 3, where he made his debut in 2023 for MP Motorsport.

    Since making the switch to Campos Racing in 2024, the Spaniard has achieved a Sprint Race victory in Barcelona during the 2024 campaign and more recently claimed a podium in the Monaco Feature Race.

    Boya will now become a part of the Aston Martin Driver Academy, which will scout for talent across all levels of motorsport ranging from karting to single-seaters.

    Those who join the Academy will receive a development programme that includes physical training, media coaching, simulator sessions and the opportunity to attend race weekends, where they can gain insight from the team and their drivers.

    Firstly, we are very happy to welcome Mari to the new programme. He is a promising talent with a strong track record, natural speed, and a determined mindset, but he is also an incredibly well-rounded athlete – a trait we value in motorsport. Our aim is to support his development in every area, from racecraft and technical feedback to media, fitness, and personal growth, preparing him for the demands of top-level racing. We are also proud to launch the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Driver Academy, a programme designed to identify, support, and develop exceptional driving talent. This initiative gives us the opportunity to shape the next generation of drivers, helping them grow into the complete package both on and off the track.Guiding young talent through some of the most challenging and competitive phases of their careers is not only a privilege, but a shared passion across the entire team.
    Andy Cowell on the news.

    Joining the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Driver Academy is a dream come true. It’s a unique opportunity to learn from a team with so much ambition in Formula One. My goal is to absorb as much knowledge as possible, contribute in every way I can, and continue showing my potential on track. Being part of such a prestigious Formula One team and stepping into the Aston Martin Aramco environment is incredibly special. The AMR Technology Campus is an inspiring place to be, and I’m excited for the opportunities ahead as I continue working hard and growing as a driver. Having role models like Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll and Pedro de la Rosa within the team makes this journey even more meaningful. I couldn’t be happier. My focus now is to repay the team’s trust with strong performances.
    Boya on the news.