Jack Doohan’s racing journey just took a dramatic turn, and it’s one that could reshape his Formula 1 career entirely. After a rollercoaster ride with Alpine, Doohan has now secured a reserve driver role with Haas for 2026, with his eyes firmly set on reclaiming a race seat by 2027. But here’s where it gets intriguing: his highly anticipated move to Japan’s Super Formula series has collapsed, leaving fans and insiders alike scratching their heads. What went wrong, and what does this mean for Doohan’s future? Let’s dive in.
Doohan’s F1 story began with a bang in 2024, making his debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for Alpine. He then raced in the first six rounds of the 2025 season, becoming the first Alpine junior to compete for the team in F1. However, his time in the spotlight was short-lived. From the seventh round onward, he was replaced by Franco Colapinto, who Alpine had poached from Williams. Despite being sidelined from racing and testing, Doohan remained in a reduced reserve role—until Alpine officially parted ways with him at the start of 2026. And this is the part most people miss: his departure opened the door for him to explore opportunities elsewhere, with Haas emerging as the most promising destination.
Haas offers Doohan a strategic pathway back to the F1 grid, even if a race seat isn’t guaranteed. The team currently fields Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon, but Bearman’s primary contract is with Ferrari, and Ocon’s ‘multi-year’ deal doesn’t ensure his stay beyond 2026. Joining Haas also means Doohan can be part of their growing test program, which includes an extensive private testing schedule with older cars—a perk of their partnership with Toyota. This setup has primarily been used to give Toyota-backed drivers valuable F1 experience, and Doohan is now poised to benefit from it.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu expressed his enthusiasm, saying, ‘I’m personally very excited to have Jack join us. The dedication required to stay sharp and prepared while integrating into a new team is no small feat, especially for a driver eager to race again at this level.’ Doohan himself described Haas as ‘the ideal place to continue my Formula 1 career,’ signaling a mutual optimism for what lies ahead.
But here’s the controversial twist: Doohan’s move to Super Formula, which seemed all but certain after testing with the Kondo team at Suzuka last year, has fallen apart. Despite what appeared to be strong personal backing and significant support from Toyota, negotiations broke down over disagreements on how to improve the competitiveness of Kondo’s #4 car. Engineering setups are notoriously contentious in Super Formula, and Doohan’s camp reportedly pushed for compromises that the team wasn’t willing to make. Had they reached an agreement, the deal likely would have gone through, as budget wasn’t believed to be an issue. Instead, Ukyo Sasahara landed the seat alongside Williams junior Luke Browning, leaving Doohan’s 2026 plans in flux.
This raises a thought-provoking question: Was Doohan’s push for a more competitive car setup a bold move to ensure success, or did it cost him a valuable opportunity? And what’s next for him? While it’s unclear if he’ll pursue an alternative racing program—he hasn’t competed in a full season since his 2023 Formula 2 campaign—his Haas role keeps him firmly in the F1 orbit. Will he reclaim a race seat in 2027, or will his journey take another unexpected turn? Only time will tell. What do you think? Is Doohan’s Haas move a smart career play, or should he have fought harder for that Super Formula seat? Let us know in the comments!
