Jack Doohan Turned Down Ferrari WEC Offer Before 2026 ELMS Move

Haas F1 reserve driver Jack Doohan was offered a seat in Ferrari's factory World Endurance Championship hypercar program for 2026 before ultimately deciding to race in the European Le Mans Series instead. The Australian's choice highlights the complex career calculations young drivers face while keeping their Formula 1 ambitions alive.

Why it matters:

For a driver on the F1 periphery, a factory Ferrari hypercar seat represents one of the most prestigious opportunities outside the grand prix paddock. Doohan's decision to decline it in favor of a less glamorous ELMS campaign underscores his and Haas's primary focus on securing a future F1 race seat, using the reserve role as a critical stepping stone.

The details:

• The Offer: Ferrari, which has a long-term technical partnership with Haas, approached Doohan last winter about joining its nine-driver WEC hypercar lineup. The Scuderia has dominated endurance racing since its 2023 return, winning the last three 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• Original 2026 Plan: Doohan's initial post-Alpine plan was to combine his Haas reserve duties with a race seat in Japan's competitive Super Formula series, backed by Haas partner Toyota.
• Change of Course: That plan was abandoned after a troubled test with the Kondo Racing team at Suzuka, where Doohan suffered three significant crashes. Concerns over the team's car led him to walk away from the deal.
• The New Path: With the Super Formula option gone, Doohan secured a drive with Nielsen Racing in the European Le Mans Series for 2026. The series' calendar, starting April 12 in Barcelona, is more compatible with his F1 reserve duties.
• Ferrari's Lineup: Following the failed agreement with Doohan, Ferrari retained its unchanged nine-driver WEC roster for 2026, including Robert Kubica in the AF Corse satellite team and its two factory crews.

What's next:

Doohan's immediate goal is to remain sharp and visible through his ELMS campaign while being deeply embedded with the Haas F1 team throughout the 2026 season. The reserve role is a strategic position to audition for a potential 2027 race seat, should an opportunity arise at Haas or elsewhere on the grid. His performance in ELMS and his work in the Haas simulator will be key to maintaining his status as a serious F1 contender.