It's been a turbulent road for Jack Doohan, but the young Australian racer is not giving up on his Formula 1 dreams, setting his sights on the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) for 2026 as a crucial step towards a 2027 F1 seat. His journey highlights the relentless fight for a top-tier racing career.
Key Points for Jack Doohan's Future
- Jack Doohan seeks full-time racing in ELMS for 2026 to gain vital track time.
- After a difficult stint with Alpine and a failed Super Formula bid, he's now Haas's F1 2026 reserve driver.
- He recently tested an LMP2 car with Algarve Pro Racing, signaling a serious interest in endurance racing.
- Despite calendar clashes with F1, regaining race fitness and experience is Doohan's top priority for a 2027 F1 comeback.
Shifting Gears: From F1 Aspirations to a Reserve Role
The 23-year-old Doohan began the 2025 F1 season with Alpine, a highly anticipated opportunity. However, a challenging six-grand prix stint saw him fail to score any points, leading to his return to a reserve driver position. This outcome significantly impacted his market value for a full-time F1 seat.
With no immediate F1 offers on the table, Doohan looked eastward, exploring opportunities in Japan's competitive Super Formula series.
A Suzuka Stumble: Super Formula Plans Derailed
Doohan's pre-season test at Suzuka for Kondo Racing was, by his own admission, a disaster. Three crashes at the infamous Degner 2 corner quickly derailed negotiations. Compounding the issue, Kondo Racing reportedly expected him to bring a budget, a factor that ultimately contributed to the collapse of the deal.
Just days after the Super Formula setback, Doohan announced a strategic move to Haas as their F1 2026 reserve driver, stepping away from Alpine. While a vital link to the F1 paddock, this role still leaves him without the crucial full-time track action he desperately needs.
ELMS Beckons: The Quest for Race Fitness
To counter the lack of seat time, Doohan has begun exploring the European Le Mans Series. He recently completed a successful LMP2 car test in Abu Dhabi with Algarve Pro Racing, the 2023 series champions. This move signifies a clear intent to re-immerse himself in competitive racing.
"I was testing the last two days in an LMP2 car on Monday and Tuesday," Doohan confirmed during F1 testing in Bahrain. "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 [in F1]."
The primary hurdle for an ELMS commitment is the calendar clashes, with every round currently coinciding with an F1 Grand Prix. Yet, for Doohan, who last competed a full season in F2 in 2023, track time is paramount.
"It's super important to have the platform and the foundation to be able to perform... to get miles and to get laps," he emphasized. "The most important thing, yes, to be in a 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."
The Ultimate Prize: F1 2027 Ambition
Despite the detours and challenges, Doohan's ultimate ambition remains firmly fixed on a full-time return to the F1 grid in 2027. He views any racing activity now as a direct investment in that future.
"That is the complete goal. I wouldn't be wanting just to continue being a reserve driver," Doohan declared. "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." His strategic move to gain racing experience could prove pivotal in his relentless pursuit of a full-time F1 seat.
