Jack Doohan secures Haas F1 reserve role for 2026 after Alpine exit

Jack Doohan has secured a Formula 1 lifeline, signing with the TGR Haas F1 Team as a reserve driver for the 2026 season. The 23-year-old Australian will share the role with Japan’s Ryō Hirakawa, marking a critical career reset after losing his race seat at Alpine just six rounds into the 2025 championship.

Why it matters:

For Doohan, this move represents a vital opportunity to remain embedded within the F1 paddock and rebuild his standing after a turbulent 2025. For Haas, securing a young, race-ready talent with recent F1 experience adds valuable depth to its driver lineup, especially with the major technical regulation changes looming in 2026. It provides the team with a known quantity who can contribute to development while staying prepared to race if called upon.

The details:

• Doohan’s F1 race debut with Alpine in 2025 was short-lived, with the team opting to replace him after only six Grands Prix. He remained with the Enstone squad as a reserve driver until the end of the season before the parties split.
• The Haas deal comes after his planned campaign in Japan’s competitive Super Formula category for 2026 did not materialize, making the reserve role his primary focus for the coming year.
• Team Principal Ayao Komatsu highlighted the specific challenge and value of the reserve role, noting the "dedication required to remain sharp and prepared to race while getting to know how the team works."
• Komatsu also pointed to Doohan’s existing experience as an F1 reserve driver as a key asset, which should allow him to integrate and contribute more quickly at Haas.

What's next:

Doohan will immediately begin working with the Haas team, focusing on simulator duties, trackside support, and embedding himself within the organization ahead of the 2026 season. The role is a platform to demonstrate his professionalism and speed, with the ultimate goal of positioning himself for a future race seat, whether at Haas or elsewhere on the grid. For Haas, it solidifies its preparations for a pivotal season under the new regulations with experienced support behind its race drivers.