Jack Doohan Secures 2026 Race Seat Alongside Haas F1 Reserve Role

Jack Doohan will return to competitive racing in 2026, driving in the European Le Mans Series for Nielsen Racing while maintaining his Formula 1 reserve driver duties with Haas. The move provides crucial track time for the 23-year-old Australian, whose F1 career stalled last year after being released by Alpine, and marks a significant shift into endurance sports car racing.

Why it matters:

For a young driver whose single-seater path hit a major roadblock, securing a competitive seat is vital to staying race-sharp and visible. This ELMS campaign serves as both a new challenge and a strategic bridge, allowing Doohan to gain valuable experience and maintain momentum while keeping his ultimate F1 aspirations alive through his formal role with Haas.

The details:

• Doohan will pilot the No. 24 ORECA 07 Gibson LMP2 prototype for Nielsen Racing in the 2026 ELMS season, sharing the car with Roy Nissany and Edward Pearson.
• His last race was nearly 12 months ago, following a premature exit from Alpine's F1 program after just six rounds in the 2025 season.
• The opportunity arose after a proposed move to Japan's Super Formula series fell through due to disappointing test results.
• Doohan acknowledged the steep learning curve, citing the roof, altered sightlines, and multi-driver strategy as key differences from his F1 background, but emphasized the value of the experience for his overall career development.

What's next:

With the ELMS season opener in Barcelona on April 12, Doohan has limited time to prepare in the new car. His immediate focus will be on rapid acclimatization to the LMP2 prototype and endurance racing format. Success in this series could reinforce his credentials and keep him at the forefront of consideration should a full-time F1 opportunity arise at Haas or elsewhere in the coming years.