Haas signs Jack Doohan as reserve driver for 2026 F1 season

The Haas F1 Team has bolstered its driver lineup for the 2026 season by signing Australian Jack Doohan as a reserve driver. He will share the role with Toyota Hypercar driver Ryo Hirakawa, who has been with the American squad since last April, giving the team two experienced reserves as it prepares for the new regulations.

Why it matters:

For Doohan, this move represents a crucial lifeline to remain in the Formula 1 paddock after a challenging 2025 season and a failed move to Japan's Super Formula. For Haas, securing a driver with recent grand prix experience strengthens its bench depth, providing a ready-made replacement should either Esteban Ocon or Oliver Bearman be unavailable. In an era where testing is severely limited, having a sharp and race-ready reserve is a significant strategic asset.

The details:

• Doohan's Path to Haas: The 23-year-old's F1 career hit a snag in 2025. After starting seven races for Alpine as a mid-season replacement, he failed to score a point and was replaced by Franco Colapinto in May. He finished the year as Alpine's reserve driver before parting ways with the team last month.
• Super Formula Setback: His planned switch to Japan's premier single-seater series for 2026 collapsed after a disastrous rookie test at Suzuka in December, where he crashed three times in the same corner.
• Team's Perspective: Team Principal Ayao Komatsu highlighted the value of Doohan's experience, noting the challenge and dedication required to stay prepared as a reserve. Komatsu stated he is "personally very excited" to bring Doohan into the team.
• Haas's 2026 Outlook: The signing comes as the team shows encouraging signs. Following a closed-door shakedown at Barcelona, lead driver Esteban Ocon has expressed optimism that Haas can be a consistent midfield contender in the upcoming season.

What's next:

Doohan will immediately integrate into the team, contributing to simulator work and track-side operations throughout the 2026 campaign. His primary goal will be to stay race-ready, hoping for any opportunity to prove himself again on the grand prix stage. For Haas, the focus remains on translating its promising pre-season form into points, with a reinforced driver squad now in place to support that mission.