Doohan's Super Formula lifeline collapses, leaving F1 future uncertain

Jack Doohan's hopes for a 2025 racing seat have collapsed after a planned move to Japan's Super Formula championship fell through due to budget issues, leaving the former Alpine reserve driver without a clear path forward and jeopardizing a linked Formula 1 opportunity.

Why it matters:

For a young driver recently released from an F1 team, securing a competitive seat is critical to staying relevant. Doohan's failure to land the Super Formula drive not only sidelines him for the upcoming season but also threatens a rumored reserve role with the Haas F1 Team, which was reportedly contingent on the Japanese racing program. This rapid downturn highlights the precarious nature of a driver's career when commercial backing falters.

The details:

• Doohan was widely expected to join Kondo Racing in Super Formula, but the team announced Ukyo Sasahara as their second driver alongside Williams reserve Luke Browning.
• The deal unraveled primarily because Doohan could not secure the necessary budget to finalize the seat, underscoring the commercial realities of motorsport even for talented drivers.
• His situation was not helped by a difficult test at Suzuka in December, where he crashed on three consecutive days at the same corner, damaging his initial reputation with the team.
• The collapse of the Super Formula move casts serious doubt on a potential reserve driver role with the Haas F1 team, as the two opportunities were believed to be interconnected.

What's next:

Doohan now faces a season on the sidelines unless a last-minute opportunity arises. Without a race seat, a manufacturer affiliation, or a confirmed F1 reserve role, his visibility and development are at risk. His focus will likely shift to securing simulator work and maintaining relationships within the F1 paddock to position himself for a potential return in 2026, a season featuring major regulatory changes that could reshuffle driver markets.