Jack Doohan secures Haas F1 reserve driver role for 2026

Jack Doohan will return to the Formula 1 paddock in 2026 as the official reserve driver for the Haas F1 Team, providing crucial support alongside fellow reserve Ryō Hirakawa for the race duo of Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman. The 23-year-old Australian joins after a turbulent 2025 season with Alpine and a subsequent decision to forgo a move to Japan's Super Formula series to remain focused on F1.

Why it matters:

For Haas, securing a driver with recent grand prix experience is a strategic boost to their operational depth, especially with the major technical regulation changes looming in 2026. For Doohan, the role represents a vital lifeline to stay embedded within the F1 ecosystem after losing his full-time seat, keeping him in the conversation for future race opportunities.

The details:

• Doohan's 2025 season with Alpine was short-lived and marred by instability. He made his debut in late 2024, contested six races in 2025 without scoring points, and was widely seen as a placeholder before being replaced amid team restructuring under Flavio Briatore.
• After parting ways with Alpine, Doohan faced a career crossroad. He tested a Super Formula car with Kondo Racing in Suzuka in December but ultimately chose to decline a full-time seat in the Japanese championship to prioritize his F1 ambitions.
• Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu highlighted the value of Doohan's experience, noting the challenge and dedication required for a reserve driver role, especially for a young driver keen to return to racing.
• Haas has not yet detailed Doohan's specific testing programme for 2026. Due to having started more than two F1 grands prix, he is ineligible to participate in the mandatory rookie Free Practice 1 sessions for the team.

What's next:

Doohan's primary path to track time will likely be through 'Testing of Previous Car' (TPC) outings with Haas and title sponsor Toyota, as he works to integrate with the team and stay race-ready. The reserve role positions him as the first in line should a race seat at Haas become available, making his integration and performance in the simulator and tests critical for his long-term F1 future.