Jack Doohan, the 23-year-old Australian racer, is shifting his focus towards the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in 2026 as he seeks to overcome recent setbacks in his Formula 1 career. After a challenging period with Alpine, which saw him demoted to reserve driver following a point-less first half of the 2025 F1 season, Doohan is exploring alternative routes to regain full-time racing status and strengthen his prospects in motorsport.
Setbacks in Formula 1 and Challenges in Japan’s Super Formula
Doohan began the 2025 Formula 1 season with expectations of solid performances but struggled across six Grand Prix races, failing to score points and losing his race seat. With no main driver roles available in F1 for the next year, he turned to Japan’s Super Formula series to maintain his race sharpness. Unfortunately, his pre-season testing in Suzuka was disastrous—he crashed three times during testing—and discussions with Kondo Racing ended abruptly due to financial demands for backing, stalling his chances there.
Switch to Haas and Plans for Competitive Track Time in ELMS
Not deterred, Doohan recently switched from Alpine to Haas as a reserve driver for the 2026 F1 season. While this role marks a positive move, it still limits his time behind the wheel during races. To counter this, he is aiming to compete in ELMS’s six-round championship, having already tested an LMP2 car with title holders Algarve Pro Racing in Abu Dhabi. This opportunity would provide essential race mileage and keep him sharp for future F1 chances.
I was testing the last two days in an LMP2 car on Monday and Tuesday,
Doohan said during Bahrain’s F1 testing.
With the way things planned out, and only being able to join quite late in the year of January, it hasn’t obviously revealed too many options for racing plans. But potentially in an ELMS, an LMP2 car, and to do Le Mans. Whatever is going to fit best while also spending as much time as I can here.
Scheduling Obstacles Between ELMS and Formula 1 Events
A key challenge in pursuing ELMS racing is that every round clashes with a Formula 1 Grand Prix, creating a difficult scheduling conflict. Despite this, Doohan believes accumulating race laps in competitive machinery is critical to regaining form and staying relevant. He emphasized the importance of consistent driving time even if it means overlapping commitments.
It’s super important to have the platform and the foundation to be able to perform, number one, in something strong – but also to get miles and to get laps,
he stressed.
The most important thing, yes, to be in race-winning material and machinery is important, but for me at this point, I didn’t race in 2024, I raced six races last year.
Just getting laps at this point in time and being race-fit is the number one priority, and preferably in strong machinery,
Doohan added firmly.
Ambition to Return to Formula 1 Racing by 2027
Looking beyond 2026, Doohan is clear about his ultimate goal: to return as a full-time Formula 1 driver by 2027. He views his current reserve role at Haas as a foundation but does not intend to remain in a backup position indefinitely. His ambition is to race competitively at the highest level and prove his ability to perform under pressure.
That is the complete goal. I wouldn’t be wanting just to continue being a reserve driver. My goal is to be in Formula 1 and to race in Formula 1. I’ve been given that platform to have a go at with Haas, so I look forward to trying to do that.
Perseverance Amid Uncertainty in Motorsport Career
Jack Doohan’s journey reflects the challenges young drivers face when contending for limited spots in elite motorsport. His willingness to explore endurance racing while holding onto his Formula 1 aspirations demonstrates resilience and adaptability. As the racing community observes his career developments, his efforts to balance conflicting schedules and maintain race fitness could determine whether he can successfully reclaim a permanent place on the Formula 1 grid.
