Ex-Alpine driver Doohan tests Super Formula amid Haas F1 reserve talks

Jack Doohan has begun testing in Japan's Super Formula championship, signaling a strategic pivot after being sidelined by Alpine for the 2025 F1 season. The Australian remains Alpine's test and reserve driver but faces an uncertain future with the French team, making this Japanese opportunity a critical career lifeline amid shrinking F1 seat options.

Why it matters:

Doohan's move highlights how drivers without race seats are increasingly leveraging regional series to maintain visibility and technical development. With F1's 2026 driver market tightening, Super Formula offers both competitive racing and a direct pipeline to potential F1 opportunities through manufacturer connections—particularly vital for drivers caught in the reserve driver purgatory.

The details:

• Toyota's growing partnership with Haas F1 creates a potential dual-path scenario: Doohan could become Haas' second reserve driver alongside Japanese ace Ryo Hirakawa while competing full-time in Super Formula for a Toyota-affiliated team.
• The arrangement would mirror successful models like Nyck de Vries' Super Formula/F1 reserve combination, allowing drivers to stay race-sharp while fulfilling F1 obligations.
• Technical development angle: Super Formula's high-downforce, high-power cars provide valuable data for drivers and engineers—particularly relevant as F1 transitions to new engine regulations in 2026.
• Williams' Luke Browning joined the same test after Tuesday's F1 rookie session, though the British team hasn't confirmed whether this signals a full Super Formula campaign. Browning remains Williams' designated reserve driver for 2026.
• Both drivers represent the growing trend of European talents using Japan's premier single-seater series as a springboard, with Super Formula's technical sophistication making it an ideal proving ground.

What's next:

This Japanese test could determine multiple drivers' futures as teams finalize 2026 plans:

• Haas appears positioned to leverage Toyota's Super Formula infrastructure for driver development, potentially creating a formalized talent pipeline similar to Red Bull's relationship with Japanese motorsport.
• Doohan's performance this week may decide whether he transitions from Alpine's reserve list to an active Haas role—particularly if Kevin Magnussen's 2026 status remains unresolved.
• For Browning, strong results could accelerate his path to an F1 race seat, though Williams' commitment to his 2026 reserve role suggests they're managing expectations while monitoring his progress.
• The test underscores how Super Formula has evolved from a regional series to a strategic asset in the global driver market, with its September-November season aligning perfectly with F1's post-season evaluation period.

With only 20 F1 seats available and increasing competition from junior series graduates, drivers like Doohan are demonstrating the necessity of creative career pathways. His Super Formula venture isn't just about staying competitive—it's a calculated move to remain relevant in F1's high-stakes ecosystem where reserve roles increasingly serve as audition platforms for race seats.