Jack Doohan’s F1 journey has taken another sharp turn, but this time it comes with fresh hope for him instead of frustration. After a difficult and short-lived stint with Alpine, the Australian driver has secured a lifeline by joining Haas as its official reserve driver for the 2026 season.
Doohan knows better than most how quickly things can change in this sport, and his move to Haas keeps him involved in the sport.
A Short and Tough F1 Chapter With Alpine
Doohan arrived in F1 carrying serious expectations as the son of five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan; he had to carve his own path through the junior categories and finally made his F1 debut at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Doohan contested the first six races of 2025 with Alpine, but results were hard to come by: points were never on the table, mistakes were frequent, and a heavy crash at Suzuka only added to the pressure. Behind the scenes, Alpine had already signed Franco Colapinto as a reserve, and the switch was inevitable.
By the time the championship reached Imola, Doohan was replaced, and Colapinto stepped in for what was initially described as a short evaluation period of five races, but the latter ultimately held onto the seat for the rest of the season and into 2026. Doohan was pushed back into a reserve role and then parted ways with Alpine entirely in January.
The months that followed were not easy as Doohan explored options in Super Formula and even tested machinery over the winter. However, a planned deal with Kondo Racing fell through after the team opted for another driver, with funding playing a decisive role, and for a while, Doohan was left without a clear racing home.
Haas Offers a Way Forward for Jack Doohan
Haas now offers Doohan a chance to stay in the sport as the American team has signed him as an official reserve driver for 2026 alongside Ryo Hirakawa, who balances his F1 duties with a full-time role in the World Endurance Championship.
Doohan admitted, “I’m thrilled to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team. It’s the ideal place to continue my Formula 1 career. I would like to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to grow and take on the great challenge of 2026 together. I’m eager to begin working with the team and collaborating on a successful season.”
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu was also pleased to have Doohan onboard and said, “I’m personally very excited to have Jack join us on the team given the strength of his racing resume and of course, his experience in being a reserve driver in Formula One. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Jack, and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the team and benefiting from his contributions.”
Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman have already been confirmed as Haas’ race drivers for 2026, and Doohan’s role will be to conduct simulator work and private testing, and to provide feedback during this crucial regulation change.
For Doohan, this move is about patience, as his first taste of F1 did not unfold the way he had hoped, but the door is not closed yet. At Haas, he has an opportunity to learn in a new environment and prove he still belongs in the sport’s top tier.
