Australian Driver Jack Doohan Finds New Formula 1 Opportunity with Haas Team
Australian motorsport talent Jack Doohan has been thrown a crucial career lifeline in Formula 1, securing a reserve driver role with the Haas team. This development arrives just days after the 23-year-old missed out on an anticipated racing return in Japan's competitive Super Formula championship.
From Alpine Exit to Haas Opportunity
Doohan formally ended his association with the Alpine F1 team in January, following a challenging period where he was sidelined after just seven races into the previous season. His new position at Haas sees him joining forces with Toyota veteran Ryo Hirakawa as part of the team's reserve driver lineup.
"I would like to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to grow and take on the great challenge of 2026 together," Doohan stated. "It's the ideal place to continue my Formula 1 career."
Team Boss Highlights Doohan's Preparedness
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu emphasised that Doohan's previous experience as a reserve driver with Alpine adds significant value to his new role. Doohan is now positioned to step into a race seat should either Ollie Bearman or Esteban Ocon become unavailable due to injury or illness.
"The dedication required to remain sharp and prepared to race while getting to know how the team works and so on, it's challenging for any driver — especially one who's obviously still very keen to race again at this level," Komatsu explained. "I've enjoyed getting to know Jack and we're looking forward to welcoming him into the team and benefiting from his contributions."
Uncertain Path to Full-Time Seat
Whether this reserve role brings Doohan closer to a permanent Formula 1 drive remains uncertain. The Australian has not completed a full racing season since 2023. Meanwhile, Ferrari junior driver Ollie Bearman is reportedly in line to replace Lewis Hamilton at Scuderia Ferrari whenever the seven-time champion retires, or potentially Charles Leclerc if he departs.
Esteban Ocon is entering his second year with Haas after moving from Alpine, a transition that originally opened the door for Doohan's Formula 1 debut. Doohan had been strongly tipped to compete for a Toyota-powered team in Japan's Super Formula championship this year, even after experiencing difficulties during testing at Suzuka where he crashed three times at the same corner.
Collapsed Japanese Deal and Engineering Disagreements
Negotiations for the Japanese drive ultimately fell through, with reports indicating the breakdown was not due to budgetary constraints but rather "disagreements" surrounding engineering decisions. This setback makes Doohan's new Haas role particularly timely and valuable for his career progression.
The Formula 1 season commences with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne in just four weeks' time, offering Doohan an immediate opportunity to integrate with his new team on home soil.
