F1 driver axed by team ahead of 2026 season handed lifeline days after terrible news

Axed Alpine driver Jack Doohan has been handed a Formula One lifeline with Haas. The Australian racer, son of five-time motorcycle racing world champion Mick Doohan, competed in just seven Grands Prix, scoring zero points, before he was replaced mid-season last year. Franco Colapinto, who took his race seat, also failed to score a point for the rest of the campaign.

Doohan continued with Alpine as a reserve driver but, despite initially being given hope he might get another chance to race, remained sidelined for the rest of the year. He departed Alpine last month but has now secured another role in F1, signing with Haas as a reserve driver.

"I'm thrilled to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team," the 23-year-old said. "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."

It is a welcome break for Doohan, days after learning he had failed to land the race seat he had been targeting in the Japanese Super Formula championship. He was expected to sign for the Kondo Racing team, despite crashing three times in as many days during a test in January, but a U-turn saw the outfit sign another racer instead.

But any fear that Kondo's rejection of Doohan, as a Toyota-partnered racing team, might scupper his chances of landing a reserve role he has been chasing with Haas has been allayed. His presence will be very useful to the American squad, whose other reserve Ryo Hirakawa races full-time in the World Endurance Championship and so will not be available for all F1 races.

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Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said: "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.

"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."

Having secured his continued presence in the F1 paddock, Doohan will look to use it as a platform from which to land a return to a race seat, should the opportunity arise. There may be some opportunity at Haas later in the year, with both Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman out of contract at the end of 2026, and the latter being eyed by parent team Ferrari for a potential promotion should his fine performances continue.