Rising stars Jak Crawford and Thomas Preining have officially completed the Formula E rookie test lineup for next week’s Jeddah E-Prix weekend, adding another significant milestone to their racing careers.
For American prodigy Crawford, this marks his second rookie test outing with Andretti Formula E, following his debut at the Berlin E-Prix last season. Meanwhile, Austrian ace Preining will make his third test appearance with Tag Heuer Porsche, solidifying his growing ties with the German marque.
Crawford Balancing F2, F1, and Formula E Commitments
Crawford, a versatile talent juggling multiple racing roles, serves as Andretti’s Formula E reserve driver, Aston Martin’s F1 reserve, and a full-time Formula 2 competitor with DAMS Lucas Oil. The 19-year-old American has been making waves in the junior ranks and is now eager to further expand his single-seater portfolio.
“I’m super excited to experience the increased acceleration and try out the new all-wheel-drive system of the GEN3 Evo,” Crawford said.
“I’m very familiar with the track from driving there in Formula 2, so it will be interesting to compare the experiences. Ultimately, the aim will be to secure important data for the team to put us in the best position possible ahead of our race weekend.”
With Jeddah’s high-speed, technical layout, Crawford’s prior F2 experience at the Corniche Circuit should give him an edge in adapting quickly to the unique demands of all-electric racing.
Preining’s Growing Porsche Connection
For Thomas Preining, this test represents another significant step in his relationship with Porsche’s motorsport program.
The 2023 DTM champion has already had two Formula E test appearances with Tag Heuer Porsche, including stints at Berlin and the Marrakech E-Prix rookie test in Season 8. After a fifth-place finish in his DTM title defense, the Austrian is now keen to explore the next stage of his racing career.
Andretti’s Plan: Preparing Crawford for Future FE Roles
Andretti’s Team Principal Roger Griffiths highlighted the importance of the test for Crawford’s development and team integration.
“After a strong showing at the Berlin Rookie Test last May and extensive simulator time driving the GEN3 Evo, having Jak represent the Andretti Formula E team during the Free Practice 0 session is a key aspect in correlating the work in the virtual world with actual time spent on track,” Griffiths said.
“Additionally, increasing his familiarity with the car is vital should Jak need to step in to replace one of our race drivers.”
This statement underscores Crawford’s growing role within the Andretti setup—potentially positioning him for a future full-time Formula E drive.
Next Generation of Talent in Formula E
With Crawford and Preining joining the Jeddah rookie test lineup, Formula E continues to attract top-tier junior drivers from multiple disciplines. Their presence further strengthens the series’ reputation as a legitimate alternative to Formula 1, offering young talents diverse career pathways in elite-level motorsport.
As the Jeddah E-Prix approaches, all eyes will be on these rookies to see how they handle the ultra-demanding, high-intensity world of electric single-seater racing.
