Haas has announced the addition of Jack Doohan as a reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 campaign. The 22-year-old Australian joins Haas after his departure from Alpine earlier this year, where he was replaced by Franco Colapinto following six races in the 2025 season. Doohan will serve as backup to team regulars Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, alongside fellow reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa from Japan.
Doohan’s Return to Formula 1 Backed by Haas Leadership
Doohan expressed enthusiasm about the new chapter, describing Haas as the perfect environment to continue his F1 journey. As the son of five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan, he highlighted the opportunity to develop with the team and face the challenges of the upcoming season.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu welcomed Doohan to the squad, noting his strong racing background and prior experience as a reserve driver. Komatsu remarked on the difficulty reserve drivers face in staying ready and acquainted with the team’s workings while maintaining competitive sharpness. He expressed anticipation for Doohan’s contributions during the 2026 season.
Context of Doohan’s Recent F1 Struggles and Career Outlook
Doohan’s first season in F1 saw early uncertainties, with speculation about his seat replacement surfacing even before the 2025 season began. Despite driving an underperforming Alpine car that failed to deliver points during his six appearances, he was succeeded by Colapinto, who similarly did not score points in the remaining races. Doohan’s move to Haas as a reserve provides a pathway to regain momentum and remain involved at the highest level of motorsport.
Upcoming 2026 Pre-Season Events and Racing Calendar
Preparations for the 2026 season include three scheduled pre-season testing events, starting with the recently completed Barcelona Shakedown. The upcoming official tests will take place in Bahrain on February 11-13 and 18-20, where teams will fine-tune their cars in front of media and live timing. Following testing, the season will officially begin with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8, featuring practice on the opening day, qualifying on March 7, and the race on March 8.
Fans can watch all 2026 races live via Sky Sports, with streaming options available that require no long-term contract commitments.
Significance of Doohan’s Role with Haas and Future Prospects
Joining Haas as a reserve driver marks a crucial step for Jack Doohan to remain engaged within Formula 1 during a period of significant regulatory changes and new opportunities. His experience and determination may provide Haas with valuable depth, while keeping Doohan poised for potential race opportunities. For Haas, bolstering their driver lineup with a motivated and skilled reserve offers important support in a fiercely competitive environment.
This appointment may also keep Doohan in contention for future racing seats, as the F1 landscape evolves with new team dynamics and regulations. With pre-season testing underway and the Melbourne race approaching, Doohan’s integration into Haas will be closely watched by teams and fans alike.
“I’m thrilled to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team. It’s the ideal place to continue my Formula 1 career,”
said Doohan.
? Jack Doohan, Formula 1 Driver
“I’d like to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to grow and take on the great challenge of 2026 together. I’m eager to begin working with the team and collaborating on a successful season.”
? Jack Doohan, Formula 1 Driver
“I’m personally very excited to have Jack join us on the team given the strength of his racing resume and of course his experience in being a reserve driver in Formula 1. The dedication required to remain sharp and prepared to race while getting to know how the team works and so on, it’s challenging for any driver – especially one who’s obviously still very keen to race again at this level. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Jack and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the team and benefiting from his contributions.”
? Ayao Komatsu, Haas Team Principal
