In a dramatic twist in the world of Formula 1, Jack Doohan has seemingly made a poignant farewell to Alpine, igniting speculation about his future within the sport. The Australian racer took to social media to post a series of heartfelt images that could signify the end of his time with the team. This comes on the heels of reports suggesting that Doohan is poised to become the new reserve driver for Haas in the upcoming F1 2026 season, a move that could reshape his career trajectory.
Doohan, who made his official F1 debut at the thrilling 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi, had an up-and-down journey throughout the 2025 season. He donned the Alpine colors for the first six races but faced a setback when he was replaced by Franco Colapinto prior to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May. Despite his promising start, Doohan struggled to make an impact, failing to score any points, leading to his demotion back to a reserve driver role. Nonetheless, he remained an integral part of the Alpine setup, attending races and contributing with simulator work.
Recent developments have painted a brighter picture for the young driver. Following the dramatic events at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, reports surfaced indicating that Doohan has emerged as a strong candidate for the reserve driver position at Haas for the 2026 campaign. This opportunity coincides with his potential return to competitive racing in the Japan-based Super Formula series next season, a move that could be bolstered by support from Toyota. The automotive giant, which has deep-rooted ties to Haas, has been expanding its involvement in F1 since re-entering the arena in 2024 as a technical partner.
As Haas prepares to compete as the TGR (Toyota Gazoo Racing) Haas F1 Team in 2026, Doohan is expected to juggle his responsibilities, supporting race drivers Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon while also engaging in Super Formula events. His recent social media post featured touching moments with the Alpine team, including a snapshot of him holding his signed contract for a 2025 race seat, accompanied by various milestones from his journey. The post, which garnered nearly 100,000 likes, was devoid of any caption, leaving fans to speculate the meaning behind this sentimental farewell.
The Australian Grand Prix’s official account chimed in on the post, expressing their support with emojis of a love heart and the Australian flag. Meanwhile, Doohan has recently begun his foray into Super Formula, participating in a post-season test at the iconic Suzuka circuit. However, his testing sessions were marred by three crashes at the notoriously tricky Degner corners, attributed to extensive setup experimentation. This crash history serves as a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead as he navigates the transition from Alpine to Haas.
With the stakes higher than ever, Doohan’s future in Formula 1 hangs in the balance, making his next moves critical for both his career and the teams involved. As fans eagerly await confirmation of his new role, the motorsport community is left buzzing with anticipation for what lies ahead for this talented young driver.
