Haas signs Jack Doohan as reserve driver for 2026 F1 season

Jack Doohan will join the Haas F1 Team as its official reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season, marking a fresh start for the Australian after his departure from Alpine. The 23-year-old, who began the 2025 season as a full-time Alpine driver, will now focus on supporting Haas's race operations and staying prepared for a potential race seat opportunity.

Why it matters:

For Doohan, the move to Haas provides a crucial lifeline to remain embedded within an F1 team after a turbulent 2025 campaign that saw him lose his race seat. For Haas, securing a young, race-experienced reserve driver adds valuable depth to its lineup as it prepares for the significant technical regulation changes coming in 2026.

The details:

• Doohan's 2025 season with Alpine involved six race starts, beginning with his debut at the Australian Grand Prix and running through the Miami Grand Prix, before he transitioned to a reserve role for the remainder of the year.
• He and Alpine mutually agreed to part ways in January, clearing the path for this new chapter with the American-owned team.
• Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu highlighted the value of Doohan's experience, noting the challenge and dedication required to stay race-ready in a reserve capacity, especially for a driver eager to return to a full-time seat.

What's next:

Doohan will integrate into the Haas team, contributing to simulator work and development programs leading into the 2026 season. His role will be pivotal as the team navigates the new car and power unit regulations. While a reserve role is his immediate duty, his performance and integration could position him for future considerations within the team's driver lineup, depending on 2026's competitive landscape.