Jack Doohan's Super Formula Comeback Falls Through

Jack Doohan's hopes for a competitive racing return in 2026 have been dashed after a deal with Toyota-affiliated Kondo Racing in Super Formula collapsed at the final hurdle. The Australian, who parted ways with Alpine F1 last year, now faces a severely limited set of options for the upcoming season, leaving his immediate future in motorsport uncertain.

Why it matters:

For a young driver recently out of Formula 1, securing a competitive seat in a series like Super Formula is critical to maintaining relevance, sharpening skills, and potentially forging a path back to the pinnacle of motorsport. This setback leaves Doohan, a highly-rated junior, on the sidelines during a crucial phase of his career, with most top-tier seats for 2026 already filled.

The details:

• Negotiations between Doohan and Kondo Racing broke down despite widespread expectation he would secure the team's final vacant seat. The team has instead confirmed Ukyo Sasahara will partner Luke Browning for 2026.
• The deal was understood to be part of a broader arrangement with Toyota that could have included a potential reserve driver role with the Haas F1 team.
• Budgetary Hurdles: Reports indicate talks stalled partly due to funding requirements, with Doohan expected to bring financial backing to secure the drive.
• Costly Test: Doohan's audition for the seat at the post-season rookie test in Suzuka last December was marred by performance. He crashed three times at the same corner (Degner 2), severely limiting his track time and leaving him well behind Browning on the timesheets. While the team publicly defended him, the lack of clean running ultimately weakened his position.

What's next:

The timing is particularly damaging for Doohan, with few attractive racing opportunities remaining so late in the off-season. His formal split from Alpine closed his primary F1 pathway, and now the most viable alternative has vanished. His immediate focus will shift to securing any remaining seat, possibly in a different series, or a reserve/test role to stay connected to the F1 paddock while he rebuilds his career trajectory.