Jack Doohan remains determined to secure a race seat in Formula 1 following a fresh opportunity with the Haas team. The Australian experienced a challenging period after being officially released by Alpine in early 2025, having spent much of the season sidelined since being replaced by Franco Colapinto after the Miami Grand Prix.
Initially planning to compete in the Japanese Super Formula series, Doohan missed out on a race role just before the season began. When options appeared limited, the Haas team offered him a new chance to reconnect with F1 during pre-season testing in Bahrain, providing a much-needed boost to his career prospects.
Renewed Optimism Arises with Haas Pre-Season Testing
Arriving in Bahrain for the initial week of testing, Doohan showed a positive attitude toward his role at Haas, signaling a fresh start. Speaking with Motorsport Week, he emphasized his ambition to move beyond a reserve position and return to full-time competition.
“My goal is to be in Formula 1, to race in Formula 1,”
he said.
“And I’ve been given that platform to have a go at with Haas. So I look forward to trying to do that.”
Despite his enthusiasm, Doohan acknowledges the journey back to a regular race seat will require patience and effort.
“From my position, it’s my second day with the team, so I’m not going up and grabbing the guys by the collar and saying, ‘hey, put me in the car’,”
he explained.
“This probably sounds strange, but to complete clarity, it’s the most important time for the team and for everyone to prioritise solely on the drivers, on the cars, new regulation, not focussing on anything else externally, and that being any other driver, even though that might be in contrast to what you might think.”
He further added,
“It’s important that the team gets in the most strong and effective, reliable place possible with this new regulation and focus solely on that to ensure that they can be as strong as possible come 2027.”
Exploring Sportscar Racing While Balancing Haas Duties
Alongside his involvement with Haas, Doohan plans to maintain his competitive edge by racing in other categories this year. Sportscar racing appears to be a viable path, with recent tests in an LMP2 car demonstrating his adaptability. He tested with Algarve Pro Racing, a Portuguese team active in both the European Le Mans Series and IMSA competitions.
“I was testing the last two days in an LMP2 car on Monday and Tuesday,”
Doohan shared. He noted that due to joining Haas relatively late in the year, his racing options have been limited.
“With the way things panned out and only being able to really join quite late in the year of January, it hasn’t obviously revealed too many options for racing plans, but potentially in an ELMS, in an LMP2 car to do Le Mans.”
He concluded,
“Whatever is going to fit best while also spending as much time as I can be here.”
The Importance of Doohan’s Haas Role for His F1 Ambitions
Doohan’s position at Haas marks a crucial moment in his pursuit of a Formula 1 race seat, offering him a platform to demonstrate his skills and remain connected to the championship. His experience highlights the challenges drivers face balancing opportunities across diverse racing series while aiming for a return to F1.
The focus for Haas, as Doohan stressed, is to maximize team performance under new regulations and lay solid groundwork for future seasons, especially looking toward 2027. The success of this process could open more doors for Doohan, potentially accelerating his return to the grid.
As the 2025 season unfolds, Doohan’s involvement with both Haas and potential sportscar events will be closely watched by fans and teams, as he strives to continue the legacy of his famous family name while carving out his own path in motorsport.
