Paddock popularity and scooter skills: Getting to know the real Jak Crawford

There’s a wave of American drivers on their way up the ranks and Jak Crawford arrived in Formula 2 after being part of a seven-way title fight in FIA Formula 3 last year.

One of two rookies at Hitech Pulse-Eight this year, the Red Bull junior answers a few vital questions ahead of Round 5 to help get to know him some more.

WHERE DO YOU CONSIDER HOME?

“Home for me is in Texas. I spent my infant years from like one to five in North Carolina and then I moved to Texas when I was five and lived there ever since. I get to go back a fair amount. When we have big breaks, anything over a month then I go back to the US for a week or two. I usually go back three of four times a year and spend my Christmas break over there.”

OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT, WHICH ATHLETE DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST?

“I’d say Kobe Bryant. He’s one I admire the most. Looking back, he’s one of the most influential people for me. I used to play basketball especially when I was younger. When he was nearer the end of his career I used to watch but you hear all the stories and seen the highlights from the past, he’s a legend.”

WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS ON THE GRID?

“I have quite a few friends around the paddock. Obviously, Isack Hadjar. Ollie Bearman and Arthur Leclerc were my teammates last year. I feel bad for leaving people out because I have quite a few friends here. Good friends with some of the Red Bull guys, Dennis Hauger and Ayumu Iwasa, we get along well. Roman Stanek I get along with as well, Clément Novalak. I feel bad if I’ve missed anyone else.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHEAT MEAL?

“That’s a good question. I would say some buffalo wings with some sauce and fries. That sounds like a good cheat meal to me.”

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND RELIVE ANY MOMENT FROM YOUR CAREER, WHAT MOMENT WOULD IT BE?

“I’d pick a bad moment which I could redo. I’d redo the Qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps last year. I was in the top three or four in the Championship in F3 at that point but that’s where my season sort of went downhill from that point. In those last three rounds, it happened so quickly in the span of three weeks, so I kind of wish I could get those back.”

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WEREN’T A RACING DRIVER?

“I’d probably be some kind of athlete. I feel like I’ve been very athletic since I was young, and I’ve played a lot of sports growing up. I’d say I would be a baseball player.”

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SERIES?

“My favourite movie of all time is The Wolf of Wall Street. I’ve probably seen that movie 20 times in my life. My favourite TV series is quite recent and it’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I just finished that the other night, but that’s my favourite series.”

WHAT WAS THE LAST SONG YOU LISTNED TO?

“We can check actually… I was listening to some techno song. King of my Castle, some dance track from 1997.”

WHAT IS THE MOST EMBARASSING THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?

“I’d say in 2017 I was on a scooter, I tried to jump a kerb and I ended up cutting my chin open and I still have the scar to this day. I’m always reminded of it because whenever I see myself on the podium, I can always see it.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACING MEMORY?

“That would probably be winning the SKUSA SuperNationals back in 2017. It’s one of the biggest karting races in America and I won that. It was what really started my racing career. I remember so much about it. It was my first season in that category, and I was one of the youngest drivers in it. I’d finished second in the American Championship that year and this one race is a one-off special in Las Vegas. I remember I qualified third, won all my heat races and won the final. That’s what started it all.”

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

“I was asked that earlier today, but I couldn’t answer it. I’d say one that I’ve gone by this year is just work at your own pace. It refers to the racing season but it’s to work at your own pace and it’ll happen eventually, you’ve just got to be patient.”

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WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?

“I’m going to say my trophies. At this point, they’re all kind of the same because until you reach F1, they don’t do crazy designs, but I’ve definitely had some cool ones over the years. In my house back in Texas, I have a room full of them. In my apartment in the UK, I have a few F3 trophies from last year too.”

FAVOURITE PLACE YOU’VE EVER VISITED AND ONE YOU’D LIKE TO GO TO?

“My favourite place I’ve ever been is Australia, it was my first time there earlier this year. It was on my bucket list before that. Now that I’ve crossed that off, one I want to do is Japan, try the food and explore there.”