Carlton Jakston Crawford was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on 2 May 2005,[1] and started his karting career in 2011 after he moved to the Houston, Texas area.[2] He competed in multiple championships, predominantly in North America, winning the Challenge of the Americas – Junior Rotax Series among others.[3] In Crawford's first overseas karting race in 2014 at the Rok Cup International Championship, while only nine years old, he finished second. Other international karting competitions were mostly sporadic but generally successful. Crawford achieved more glory in the later part of his karting career, included a win during the 2016 Florida Winter Tour,[4] and further triumphs in the 2017 SKUSA SuperNationals and the Challenge of the Americas.[5][6]
Formula 4
2018–2019
In 2018, Crawford made his car racing debut in the NACAM Formula 4 Championship, driving for Scuderia Martiga EG.[7] He took the standings lead following three rounds after two wins and finishing all but two races on the podium.[8] However, he went winless for the next two rounds, losing the lead back to title rival Manuel Sulaimán.[9] Despite winning four of the final six races, Crawford finished runner-up to Sulaimán by 44 points.[10]
2020
Crawford raced in the German and ItalianFormula 4 Championships in 2020 with Van Amersfoort Racing, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic he would only compete part-time in the latter.[11] In ADAC F4, Crawford took both poles for the opening weekend in Lausitzring,[12] but lost both to teammate and Red Bull Junior Team member Jonny Edgar in the races.[13][14] Following a trio of second places in the next two rounds, Crawford took his first win from pole position during the first race in Nürburgring despite late rainfall.[15][16] He then locked out the podium in the following round at the Red Bull Ring, which included a win during the final race.[17] A win in the second Lausitzring round slashed Edgar's points lead heading into the season finale.[18] There, Crawford took the title lead by winning the first two races in Oschersleben,[19][20] but lost the title by two points by finishing sixth in the final race, as to Edgar's second place.[21][22] Nevertheless, Crawford finished runner-up in the standings, scoring five wins and twelve podiums throughout the season.[23]
In the Italian championship, Crawford did not compete in the opening Misano round, but raced in Imola took two podiums.[24][25] He would take his first Italian F4 win in Austria,[26] and secured another triumph in the second Imola round on a weekend where he locked out the podium.[27] Despite missing two rounds, Crawford still placed sixth in the championship standings, with two wins and seven podiums.
Road to Indy
U.S. F2000
In April 2019, Crawford joined DEForce Racing to contest part of the 2019 season as he was not old enough to start the racing season.[28] In July, he switched to Cape Motorsports to contest the final five rounds and ended the season seventh in the standings.[29]
In March 2021, it was announced Crawford would race with Motopark in the 2021 season alongside his FIA Formula 3 commitments.[30] Crawford missed the first two races of the season at Algarve due to his age, but stunned during his first full round in Paul Ricard with two wins and a further second place.[31] He took another double victory in Imola,[32][33] and repeated this feat at the Red Bull Ring and the Barcelona finale.[34][35][36][37] Despite missing two rounds that season, Crawford finished third in the standings, eleven points behind runner-up Louis Foster.[38] Speaking about his campaign mid-season, Crawford stated that Euroformula had helped him "get up to speed" in Formula 3.[39]
Formula Regional
2022
In January 2022, Crawford partook in the Formula Regional Asian Championship with Prema ahead of their FIA Formula 3 campaign together.[40] He took his first podium of the season in the opening at Yas Marina, holding off Isack Hadjar for second place.[41] After scoring more points in the following two rounds at Dubai, he took another second place during the third Dubai round,[42] and a third podium in the final round placed Crawford sixth in the overall standings with 113 points.[43]
In October 2020 Crawford completed the first post-season test at Catalunya, running for Hitech GP.[45] Later that month, the British outfit once again fielded Crawford in the second post-season test at Jerez and confirmed him for the 2021 season in January the following year.[46][47] He had a solid start to his season, scoring two points finishes in the opening two rounds.[48][49] In Austria during Race 2, Crawford moved up to second early on, but his race concluded mid-race after his engine shut off. The next day, Crawford had another promising race running in the top 5, but a failed overtake on Jack Doohan saw him break his front wing with three laps to go.[50] He again failed to score in Budapest after qualifying down in 22nd.[51] During Race 1 in Spa-Francorchamps, Crawford earned his breakthrough with a maiden podium during treacherous conditions.[52] In Zandvoort, Crawford had a decent weekend by scoring points in all three races, including a fourth place in the first race.[53] In Sochi, Crawford ran as high as third in Race 1, but struggled with tyre degradation and eventually slipped out of the points.[54] However, he had a stronger race in Race 3, finishing in fifth place.[55] Crawford finished the year thirteenth in the drivers' standings with 45 points, behind teammate Ayumu Iwasa but ahead of Roman Staněk.[56]
In November, Crawford joined Prema Racing, which had taken fellow Red Bull junior Dennis Hauger to that year's title, for the post-season test.[57] In January 2022, Crawford was confirmed with the Italian outfit for that year's championship.[58] An engine issue confined Crawford to 20th in qualifying for the opening Bahrain round.[59] After his sprint race was compromised by front wing damage, Crawford went on a charge on Sunday, making up thirteen places in the feature race to finish in seventh.[60] Crawford qualified a personal best third in Imola,[61] and took his first podium of the season the next day, inheriting two positions from a collision between Isack Hadjar and Caio Collet ahead on the last lap.[62] In the feature race, Crawford rounded the weekend with another podium in second place, having passed teammate Oliver Bearman on the penultimate lap for the position.[63] He repeated this feat in the Barcelona sprint race with another second place as he was unable to get through David Vidales for the victory.[64] He finished sixth in the feature race, a result that moved him into title battle.[65] Crawford took his first and only victory of the season at the Sprint race in Austria. An additional 4 podiums saw the 17 year old American finish 7th in the overall standings with 109 points to his name.
Crawford began his rookie F2 season by qualifying 19th,[68] finishing the sprint in 14th[69] and followed that up by finishing 12th in the feature race.[70] Looking to bounce back in Jeddah, Crawford qualified 10th meaning he would start the sprint from reverse pole.[71] Crawford led the sprint for one lap before being passed by Ayumu Iwasa causing him to drop to 2nd but it would get worse for Crawford as was passed by Ralph Boschung, Jehan Daruvala, Victor Martins, Kush Maini, Frederik Vesti, and Jack Doohan dropping him to 8th. Crawford would then be overtaken by Dennis Hauger on the line meaning he finished 9th, just missing out on scoring his first point by 0.175 seconds.[72] The feature race be tough as Crawford's strategy didn't work leading to him finishing in 15th place meaning the American still had 0 points after 4 races.[73]
Crawford qualified 9th for F2's first visit to Albert Park,[74] starting on the reverse front row and challenging Dennis Hauger for the lead. He was eventually forced to settle for second place but still it marked both his first points and first podium in F2.[75] The feature race however would be a disaster as Crawford would crash out on lap 6 after he was pushed into the gravel at turn 12 by Jack Doohan which caused him to smash into the wall.[76] Crawford qualified 7th in Baku.[77] Crawford ran 3rd at the start but was overtaken by Frederik Vesti and ex F3 teammate Oliver Bearman meaning he ran 5th but he benefitted from the late canarge that saw Dennis Hauger, Victor Martins, Jehan Daruvala, Theo Pourchaire and Jack Doohan retire to finish third behind the safety car which marked his second podium finish in F2.[78] The feature race would be less successful as Crawford would finish 9th but it still marked his first double points weekend in F2.[79]
Crawford qualified 7th for the Monaco.[80] In the sprint Crawford would benefit from his teammate Isack Hadjar retiring with mechanical problems to take his third podium of the season as he finished in third place.[81] Like in Baku the feature race would be less successful for Crawford as he finished in 9th place.[82] Crawford qualified 9th for the Spain round.[83] The sprint however would end in disaster for Crawford as he would collide with Frederik Vesti into turn 1 on the 1st lap with the damage causing him to retire from the race.[84] For the feature race Crawford's strategy wouldn't work and he finished 13th ending a miserable weekend for the American driver.[85]
Needing to bounce back in Austria Crawford qualified 10th meaning he would be on reverse grid pole.[86] In a crazy race where some drivers started on slicks and others on wets, Crawford made the right choice to start on slicks (even though he lost the lead at the start) as he controlled the race after retaking the lead on lap 6 and he crossed the line first to take his maiden win in F2.[87] The feature race wouldn't go as well due to Crawford being caught out by a late safety car that meant he dropped from 5th to 8th place at the flag.[88]
Crawford qualified 15th for the round at Silverstone.[89] The sprint would see Crawford finish 14th.,[90] but he bounced back by finishing 10th in the feature race.[91] Crawford qualified 18th in Budapest.[92] Crawford would finish the sprint in 14th place.[93] and followed this up with a 17th place finish in the feature race ending another frustrating weekend for the Hitech driver.[94]
Crawford qualified 12th for the race at Spa.[95] Crawford would finish the sprint race in 14th place.,[96] but it would only get worse during the feature race as after running out of the points all race, Crawford would be spun around by Juan Manuel Correa which caused his engine to stall, leading to his retirement which ended a miserable weekend for Crawford.[97] Looking to bounce back from Spa, Crawford took his maiden pole position at Zandvoort.[98] In the sprint Crawford would retire on the 1st lap after contact with Kush Maini caused him to spin across the grass and into the wall at turn 5. Fortunately for Crawford the race was abandoned after the rain didn't clear up meaning Crawford didn't lose anything from his DNF.[99] For the feature race, Crawford lead for the first few laps until he pitted and lost the lead to Zane Maloney, then the safety car came out following Theo Pourchaire's crash which allowed Clement Novalak to take the lead. Crawford would be unable to repass the two in front of him meaning he finished third but he still took his first podium since Monaco.[100]
Crawford qualified 7th for the race at Monza.[101] Crawford would finish the sprint 7th but drop to 13th following a penalty for exceeding track limits.[102] In the feature race Crawford would fight for points until he broke his front wing after contact with Kush Maini on lap 23. Crawford would then retire on lap 27 after Roman Stanek pushed him into the gravel at turn 8 ending what was a horrible weekend for the American driver.[103] Crawford qualified 19th for the season finale in Yas Marina...[104] Crawford would finish the sprint 12th after a good charge up the field.[105] Crawford would finish the feature race in 10th after running on the alternative strategy which ended a tough season the Hitech driver.[106]
Crawford finished 2023, 13th in the drivers championship with 57 points(two ahead of teammate Isack Hadjar). During the season he took 1 win with four more podiums and 1 pole position. He also helped Hitech Pulse-Eight finish eighth in the teams championship. Crawford drove for DAMS in the post season test with him finishing third fastest on day 1.
Crawford started the season by qualifying 10th in Bahrain, giving him reverse grid pole for the sprint.[108] Crawford would take the lead at the start of the sprint but would be overtaken by Zane Maloney on lap 8 and be forced to settle for 2nd place.[109][110] The feature race however would be a disaster as Crawford would stall in the pits on lap 16 forcing him to retire from the race.[109][111]
Crawford qualified 3rd for the next round in Jeddah.[112] Crawford would finish the sprint in 5th place.[113] Crawford would then finish the feature race in 4th place marking a good weekend for the American.[114] Crawford crashed in qualifying for the round in Australia forcing him to start in 21st.[115] Crawford would finish the sprint in 9th just missing out on points.[116] Crawford would then finish the feature race in 10th taking a point from weekend that looked over after qualifying.[117]
Crawford qualified 21st for the round in Imola.[118] Crawford would finish the sprint in 14th[119] and the feature race in 7th again taking home some points from a weekend that started so badly.[120] Crawford would qualify 18th for the next round in Monaco. Crawford would finish the sprint in 13th finishing without points.[109][121] The feature race would go awfully though as Crawford would retire on lap 1 with collision damage after a collision with Kush Maini.[122]
Crawford qualified 2nd for the next round in Barcelona.[109][123] Crawford would finish the sprint in 4th place taking home some points.[109][124] The feature race however would go even better as after pitting on lap 8, Crawford would then undercut Paul Aron to take the net race lead. He then moved into the lead when the drivers on the alternative strategy pitted and crossed the line to take his first win of 2024.[125] Crawford left Barcelona sitting 4th in the championship with 62 points, however he was 38 points behind championship leader Paul Aron.
Crawford qualified 14th for the next round in Austria.[109] Crawford would finish the sprint in 6th.[126] Crawford would finish the feature race in 10th ending an average weekend for the American driver.[127] Crawford would qualify 7th for the next round at Silverstone.[128] Crawford would finish the sprint in 6th place.[129] In the feature race Crawford would start well and challenge for the lead but during his pitstop he was released into the path of Zane Maloney which earned him a 5 second time penalty. Crawford would cross the line first but drop behind Isack Hadjar and Maloney meaning he finished the race in third place.[109][130]
Crawford qualified 22nd for the next round in Hungary.[131] Crawford would charge to 9th place in the sprint just missing out on points.[132] In the feature race however, Crawford would finish in 17th, ending a miserable weekend for the American driver.[109][133] Crawford qualified 4th for the next round in Belgium.[134] Crawford would finish the sprint in 5th but would only score 1 point due to only 5 laps of racing being completed.[135] Crawford would run in 4th throughout the feature race but would inherit 3rd place when Paul Aron suffered an engine failure on the penultimate lap taking a very unlikely podium.[136]
Crawford qualified 14th for the next round in Monza.[109] Crawford would finish the sprint in 6th place.[137] Crawford would then finish the feature race in 9th, ending an average weekend for the DAMS driver.[138] Crawford qualified 9th for the next round in Baku.[139] Crawford would finish the sprint race in 2nd place taking another podium for his campaign.[140] Crawford would then finish the feature race in 8th place ending another average weekend for the American.[141]
Crawford qualified 6th for the next round in Qatar.[142] Crawford would fight with Victor Martins for third for most of the sprint until he overtook the ART driver on lap 17. He would then inherit 2nd place when Isack Hadjar spun on lap 21, before the race finished behind the safety car allowing Crawford to finish in 2nd to take another podium in 2024.[143] The feature race would go less well as Crawford would retire on lap 13 with suspension damage after a collision with Rafael Villagómez.[144]
Crawford qualified 16th for the season finale in Abu Dhabi.[145] Crawford would finish the sprint in 8th to take a point from that race.[146] The feature race would go awfully though as Crawford would retire on lap 4 with damage after a turn 1 collision at the start of the race, marking a tough final weekend of the season for the DAMS driver.[147]
Crawford finished 2024 5th in the championship with 125 points. During the season he took one win, six podiums and one fastest lap. Crawford drove for DAMS in the post season test, ending the 1st day with the fastest time.
2025
Crawford would remain with DAMS Lucas Oil for the 2025 FIA Formula 2 season.[148] He took pole position for round three in Jeddah, but lost the lead of the feature race to Richard Verschoor in the final lap.[149] Nevertheless, he bounced back in the next round at Imola to take his first win of the season in the sprint race, having passed Ritomo Miyata for the lead on lap one.[150] He won again in Monaco, this time in the feature race; he avoided the large multi-car incident at the start of the race, and took advantage of a well-timed pitstop under safety car to take the lead of the race.[151]
In May 2024, Andretti Formula E announced Crawford to be taking part in the Berlin rookie test for them.[165] Later that year, Crawford was announced to be the reserve driver for Andretti for the 2024–25 season.[166] He returned to the Formula E cockpit during the Jeddah ePrix for the rookie free practice session.[167] He drove for Andretti again during the Berlin rookie test alongside Frederik Vesti,[168] ending the session sixth in the timesheets.[169]
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