Haas F1 Reserve Jack Doohan Secures 2026 Racing Seat in European Le Mans Series

Haas F1 reserve driver Jack Doohan will return to full-time competition in 2026, joining Nielsen Racing in the European Le Mans Series after losing his Alpine seat earlier this year. The 23-year-old Australian will balance his new LMP2 campaign with his ongoing F1 reserve duties, aiming to rebuild his career momentum in endurance racing.

Why it matters:

For a young driver whose single-seater path hit a major roadblock, securing a competitive seat in a top-tier endurance series provides a crucial platform to stay race-sharp and showcase his skills. This move underscores the growing importance of the World Endurance Championship and ELMS as viable alternative career paths for F1 hopefuls, offering valuable seat time and exposure that can sometimes lead back to a Grand Prix opportunity.

The details:

• Doohan will drive the #24 Oreca 07 LMP2 car for Nielsen Racing, sharing duties with former Williams F1 test driver Roy Nissany and Ed Pearson.
• The team's season begins with the 4 Hours of Barcelona at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on April 12, 2026.
• Despite this new challenge, Doohan maintains his formal link to Formula 1, continuing his role as a reserve driver for the Haas F1 Team alongside Ryo Hirakawa.
• In statements, Doohan expressed excitement about the "new challenge" and confidence in the team's ability to get up to speed quickly, highlighting the different demands of the Oreca 07 compared to a single-seater.

What's next:

The 2026 ELMS season represents a fresh start and a learning year for Doohan as he adapts to the disciplines of endurance racing—including teamwork, strategy, and car management over long stints. His performance will be closely watched, not only by the endurance community but also by Haas, as he works to keep his F1 aspirations alive through a combination of simulator work, testing duties, and now, competitive racing miles in a different formula.