Haas Secures Jack Doohan as Reserve Driver for Pivotal 2026 Formula 1 Season

The Haas F1 Team has officially announced the signing of Australian talent Jack Doohan as a reserve driver, effective for the forthcoming 2026 Formula 1 campaign. This strategic appointment positions Doohan alongside Ryo Hirakawa, who has served in the same capacity since April of the previous year, a role that underscored Toyota’s expanding technical and operational involvement with the American outfit. The 2026 season is slated to introduce a significant overhaul of technical regulations, particularly concerning power units and chassis design, making the acquisition of experienced development drivers a critical preparatory step for all competing teams.

Jack Doohan, 23, brings a considerable junior formula pedigree to Haas. A distinguished graduate of both the Red Bull and Alpine driver academies, Doohan established himself as a prominent figure in the Formula 2 championship. Over two full seasons in F2, he secured multiple race victories and podium finishes, demonstrating consistent speed and race craft. His 2022 season saw him finish fourth in the championship standings with three wins, followed by a third-place finish in 2023, where he added another three victories to his tally. While he has not started any Formula 1 Grand Prix, Doohan has accumulated valuable F1 experience through participation in several Free Practice sessions with Alpine, notably at the Mexico City, Abu Dhabi, and Monza Grands Prix, providing him with direct exposure to F1 machinery and team operations.

Doohan’s tenure as a reserve driver for Alpine concluded last month, paving the way for his move to Haas. Prior to this new agreement, his career trajectory appeared set for a different path, with plans to compete in Japan’s prestigious Super Formula series for the 2026 season. However, these arrangements encountered an unexpected setback in December when Doohan’s participation in the Suzuka rookie test resulted in a notable incident. During the test, a crucial evaluation for potential Super Formula drivers, Doohan reportedly crashed three times at the challenging Degner 2 corner, leading to the collapse of his planned move to the Japanese single-seater championship. This unexpected turn of events has now culminated in his return to the Formula 1 paddock with Haas, albeit in a developmental role.

The move is particularly significant given the impending regulatory changes in Formula 1 for 2026, which will introduce new power unit specifications emphasizing sustainable fuels and revised aerodynamic principles. This era marks a fresh start for many teams, and for Haas, it coincides with a pivotal new partnership. As indicated by Doohan’s quote mentioning "TGR Haas F1 Team," the American squad will transition to Toyota power units from 2026, ending their long-standing engine supply agreement with Ferrari. This collaboration with Toyota Gazoo Racing, a renowned motorsport powerhouse, signifies a major strategic shift for Haas and underscores the importance of integrating drivers with experience in diverse racing environments, like Ryo Hirakawa, Toyota’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar driver and a two-time Le Mans winner.

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Commenting on his new role, Doohan expressed his enthusiasm: "I’m thrilled to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team. It’s the ideal place to continue my Formula 1 career. I would 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." This statement highlights his ambition to remain within the Formula 1 ecosystem and contribute to a team embarking on a new chapter.

Team Principal Ayao Komatsu echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Doohan’s credentials and the demands of the reserve driver role. "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," Komatsu stated. He further elaborated on the complexities inherent in the position: "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." Komatsu’s remarks underscore the critical nature of a reserve driver, particularly in a period of intense development and adaptation to new regulations. These individuals are instrumental in simulator work, testing new components, and providing crucial feedback that shapes the car’s development.

The Haas F1 Team, which debuted in the sport in 2016, has historically operated with a lean structure and faced challenges in consistently competing at the front of the midfield. The upcoming 2026 regulations, coupled with the new Toyota engine partnership, represent a significant opportunity for the team to redefine its competitive standing. The appointment of reserve drivers like Doohan and Hirakawa, with their diverse skill sets and F1 exposure, is a proactive measure to maximize development efficiency as the team prepares for this transformative period.

Recent insights into the team’s prospects for the 2026 season have emerged from a pre-season ‘shakedown’ test conducted behind closed doors at Barcelona. Following this evaluation, Esteban Ocon, one of Haas’s anticipated race drivers for the 2026 season, reportedly expressed optimism regarding the team’s potential to compete within the midfield. Ocon, a seasoned Grand Prix winner, is expected to team up with Oliver Bearman, a highly-rated sophomore driver who impressed during his F1 debut with Ferrari in 2024. The combination of Ocon’s experience and Bearman’s burgeoning talent, alongside the strategic input from development drivers like Doohan, will be crucial as Haas navigates the complexities of the new regulatory framework and aims for an elevated competitive position in the sport. The comprehensive preparations for 2026, including key personnel appointments and strategic partnerships, signal Haas’s intent to make a significant impact in the next era of Formula 1.

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Jonas Leo: Jonas Leo is a passionate motorsport journalist and lifelong Formula 1 enthusiast. With a sharp eye for race strategy and driver performance, he brings readers closer to the world of Grand Prix racing through in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive paddock insights. Jonas has covered everything from preseason testing to dramatic title deciders, capturing the emotion and precision that define modern F1. When he’s not tracking lap times or pit stop tactics, he enjoys exploring classic racing archives and writing about the evolution of F1 technology.