Haas signs Jack Doohan as reserve driver for 2026

Jack Doohan will join the TGR Haas F1 Team as a reserve driver for the 2026 season, providing the American squad with experienced cover and a development asset as it prepares for a pivotal new era of regulations.

Why it matters:

Haas is strategically bolstering its driver lineup ahead of the sweeping 2026 technical changes, adding a young driver with recent race experience to its roster. Doohan’s signing gives the team crucial strategic depth and a ready-made replacement option, while offering the Australian a vital lifeline to remain embedded in the F1 paddock after losing his Alpine race seat earlier this year.

The details:

• Doohan’s move follows his departure from the Alpine driver academy earlier this month, ending a long-term association with the French manufacturer.
• He made his F1 debut for Alpine at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and contested the first six rounds of the 2025 season before being replaced by Franco Colapinto after Miami.
• At Haas, he will share reserve duties with Toyota-backed Ryo Hirakawa, forming a strong backup pool behind race drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
• Doohan expressed enthusiasm for the new challenge, stating the team is "the ideal place to continue my Formula 1 career" and that he is eager to collaborate on a successful season.

What’s next:

Doohan will integrate into the Haas simulator and testing program, playing a key role in developing the team’s 2026 car. His experience with current-generation machinery provides valuable feedback for a team aiming to make a fresh start under the new rules. For Doohan, this role is a critical opportunity to stay sharp and position himself for a potential future race seat, either at Haas or elsewhere, when the driver market inevitably churns around the regulatory reset.