Haas have decided to bring Jack Doohan back into Formula 1, with the Australian driver officially making his return to the F1 paddock. After a short-lived experience in Super Formula, the former Alpine driver is now looking to relaunch his career by joining the American team.
Doohan’s adventure in Super Formula has already come to an end. The Australian will now work with Haas in a support role, alongside Ryo Hirakawa, contributing to the team’s simulator and development programme. Haas have reportedly identified Doohan as a valuable asset to strengthen their operational depth behind the scenes.
Jack Doohan’s programme will be aimed at supporting the team’s race drivers, Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman. This opportunity offers a new opening for Doohan, who had very limited chances to showcase his potential during his time with Alpine. He contested just five Grands Prix before being replaced by Franco Colapinto, who was later confirmed for the 2026 season.
Haas place their trust in Doohan
The move has been confirmed by the BBC, which reports that Haas have announced Jack Doohan as a reserve driver for their Formula 1 team. His duties will be shared with Ryo Hirakawa, who has previously taken part in FP1 sessions and TPC testing with the squad.
The Australian is eager to seize the opportunity offered by the American outfit. “The ideal place to continue my career in F1,” Doohan said when describing his new role. Earlier, he raced with Alpine at the start of the 2025 season, but a series of incidents ultimately led the team to shift their focus towards Franco Colapinto.
Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu explained the reasoning behind the decision to bring Doohan on board. “The dedication required to stay focused and prepared to race, while at the same time learning how the team operates and everything that comes with it, is a challenge for any driver, especially for someone who is obviously still very eager to race again at this level,” Komatsu said.
As a result, Doohan’s experience in Super Formula comes to a swift conclusion after a testing session that did not go according to plan for the Australian driver. His focus now turns fully to Formula 1, as he looks to rebuild momentum and remain closely connected to the pinnacle of motorsport with Haas.
Jack Doohan’s appointment as a Haas reserve driver for 2026 represents a calculated “reboot” for the Australian’s career, placing him within a team that is rapidly evolving through its new technical alliance with Toyota. By moving away from the high-pressure environment of Alpine and settling into a support role under Ayao Komatsu, Doohan gains the opportunity to refine his technical maturity without the immediate scrutiny of a race seat. Ultimately, while his short-lived 2025 racing stint was a setback, this new position at Haas keeps him in direct contact with the latest F1 hardware and simulators, positioning him as a prime candidate for a potential grid return in 2027.
Jack Doohan has therefore traded his Super Formula ambitions for a strategic reserve role at Haas, joining Ryo Hirakawa to support the Ocon-Bearman lineup for the 2026 World Championship.
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