Hitech snap up Red Bull junior duo Crawford and Iwasa

Hitech Grand Prix will continue their partnership with the Red Bull Junior Team in 2021, announcing that they have signed rookie pairing Jaw Crawford and Ayumu Iwasa for the new campaign.

Crawford – who will turn 16 in May – steps up on the back of finishing second in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship.

The American took five wins and four poles, finishing second to Jonny Edgar by just two points.

“I am very happy to spend the 2021 FIA F3 season with Hitech GP,” said Crawford. “I am excited to make a step up from F4 to compete in the competitive field of drivers.

“With the success the team has had in previous years, I hope I can achieve the same results and fight at the front of the field.”

Crawford will be joined by the Honda-backed Iwasa, who makes the move after winning the French Formula 4 Championship, with a tally of nine wins, 15 podiums and five pole positions.

The 19-year-old’s success was enough to convince Red Bull to sign him to their junior programme and promote him to F3.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead. Joining Hitech in both FIA F3 and Asian F3 will be exciting, and I will be able to learn a lot with the success the team have had over the years. I'll do my best to continuously achieve a good result."

Hitech finished fourth in the Teams’ Championship last season, scoring three wins and six podiums overall.

Team Principal Oliver Oakes added: “We are proud to continue our relationship with Red Bull for a third season. It will see us bring two new exciting talents (Jak and Ayumu) into the FIA F3 grid, who have proven themselves with strong results in Formula 4. It’s an exciting pool of drivers and we look forward to fighting for victories on track.”