Doohan Eyes Haas Reserve Role, Super Formula Return for 2027 F1 Comeback

Jack Doohan is finalizing a dual-path strategy to reboot his F1 career, combining a reserve driver role at Haas with a race seat in Japan’s Super Formula series. This approach aims to keep the Australian sharp and leverage Toyota's deepening ties with Haas, positioning him as a prime candidate for a race seat in 2027.

Why it matters:

After a tumultuous exit from Alpine where he was promoted and then dropped abruptly, Doohan needs a credible path back to the grid. Securing a reserve role at Haas while racing in a top-tier series like Super Formula offers the perfect blend of F1 relevance and competitive seat time. It also aligns with Haas's potential needs, especially if Ferrari calls up Oliver Bearman in 2027.

The details:

• Super Formula Move: Doohan is set to fill the vacant seat in Super Formula, a series known for its technical complexity and similarity to F1 machinery. This provides crucial racing experience he lacked recently.
• Haas Connection: Discussions regarding a reserve driver role for 2026 are progressing positively. This keeps him embedded in the F1 paddock and familiar with Haas operations.
• Toyota Factor: Racing in Japan strengthens ties with Toyota. As Toyota deepens its technical partnership with Haas, Doohan becomes a logical link between the two entities.
• Experience Limitation: While Doohan has valuable experience from his seven Grand Prix starts, he is ineligible for mandatory rookie practice sessions. This limits his utility on Fridays but doesn't diminish his value as a proven reserve.

What's next:

The immediate focus is finalizing the Super Formula deal and the Haas reserve contract. The long game is 2027. With Esteban Ocon currently holding one seat and Oliver Bearman impressing in his rookie year, Doohan is likely targeting the second seat. If Bearman is promoted to Ferrari to replace a departing Lewis Hamilton, Doohan would be perfectly placed to step into the vacancy at Haas.