Jack Doohan’s move to Haas in 2026 is a stroke of genius for his Formula 1 career

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Many wondered what would come of Jack Doohan after he lost his Alpine seat in 2025. It looked like he might stay in Formula 1, and then it didn’t, and now he’s back.

The Australian driver was dropped by the Enstone outfit just six races into his debut season. His pace deficit to Pierre Gasly and heavy crashes were his undoing as Flavio Briatore pushed Franco Colapinto into the team, although that seemed to be his intention from the beginning.

Unable to find a way back into the team, Doohan left Alpine at the end of 2025. It looked as though he would be out of the F1 paddock for 2026 as he had his eyes set on Super Formula.

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But after completing testing at Suzuka with Kondo Racing, the move collapsed at the last minute. Doohan wrongfully believed his drive would be free, and this misunderstanding led the team to sign Ukyo Sasahara instead.

With Super Formula off the table, his 2026 season looked bleak until now. Doohan has confirmed that he will join Haas as their reserve driver, with rumours of discussions between the two parties going on since last year.

The 23-year-old is ‘thrilled’ to join the American team and described it as the ‘ideal place to continue his Formula 1 career’. He could not be more right.

Jack Doohan’s Haas move is a stroke of genius as he is best positioned for an F1 return

Heading into 2026, Haas have retained Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon. The pair will be looking to progress up the field with the 2026 F1 regulations, having finished eighth in the standings in 2025.

But the team’s situation in 2027 is an interesting one, particularly when it comes to the Formula 1 driver market. Bearman’s impressive rookie season has caught the attention of top teams, after he beat experienced teammate Ocon and came close to scoring a podium in Mexico.

Bearman is widely tipped to join Ferrari next season if Lewis Hamilton decides to retire, or indeed if Charles Leclerc chooses to leave Maranello via an exit clause in his contract.

Jack Doohan has a new F1 team 👀 does he deserve another shot in F1 with Haas?

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Meanwhile, the Brit’s teammate finished 2025 as one of the most out-of-form drivers on the grid, scoring points just nine times last year. With his contract up in 2026, Ocon could be at risk of losing his seat at Haas if he does not perform.

With both Bearman and Ocon potentially leaving the team at the end of the year, Doohan would be best positioned to take one of the seats if he can impress as a reserve driver. The move to Haas is a stroke of genius that might have saved his career.

READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties

Jack Doohan will have strong competition for a Haas seat in 2026

Of course, Doohan racing for Haas in 2027 is not a given. He will have to help the team behind the scenes and impress them enough to hand him a seat.

But there will be competition for the drive. Haas already have Ryo Hirakawa, who, given his connections to Toyota, whose ties with the American team are growing stronger, could be in a better position to land a seat in 2027.

The same goes for Kalle Rovanpera, who is leaving rallying for Super Formula in pursuit of an F1 seat. Admittedly, 2027 might be too soon for the Finn to join the pinnacle of motorsport, but a successful season in Japan could move him within touching distance of a Haas seat.

And then there is Ferrari to consider. With Bearman being their academy product, Ferrari may want to use their customer team for another talent to develop, someone such as Rafael Camara, who won F3 in 2025 and is joining defending champions Invicta in F2 in 2026.