Driver Axed From F1 Crashes Three Times In Horror Debut For New Team

Former F1 driver Jack Doohan has suffered three crashes in the space of three days while driving in Japan's Super Formula series.

Doohan was signed to Alpine to start the 2025 F1 season, but was dropped after just six Grands Prix and zero points.

He was replaced by Franco Colapinto, who failed to score a point from 18 races but was more often competitive against team-mate Pierre Gasly.

The Argentine, therefore, has been retained by Alpine for 2026, leaving Doohan without a seat and only as reserve driver.

According to reports, the Australian is set to cut ties with Alpine ahead of a planned season in Super Formula with Toyota in 2026.

It is claimed that he will act as a reserve driver for Haas - who have close ties with Toyota - for next season, though neither Haas nor Alpine have made any official announcement.

Over recent days, Doohan has taken part in tests for Super Formula at Suzuka, which has hosted F1 races in the majority of seasons since 1987.

The Japanese Grand Prix was one of the six races Doohan competed in 2025 before being dropped by Alpine - but it didn't exactly go to plan.

He suffered a high-speed crash into the barriers out of turn one after failing to close the DRS rear wing flap, though did rise to 15th in the race from 19th on the grid.

And the Australian has now suffered near-identical crashes on each of the three days - at the same corner.

Each crash has seen him hit the wall out of turn nine, following the notoriously tricky and high-speed Degner Curve at turn eight.

The corner sees drivers take a sharp right, with the gravel trap on the left separated from the track by an outside curb.

Onboard footage of Doohan's third crash on Friday shows the Australian's car clipping the inside curb of turn eight, which causes it to become unstable and slide towards the gravel trap.

From that point, he is powerless to stop it from careering into the wall.

According to Japan-based reporter Jamie Klein, Doohan has not been permitted to speak to the media during his Super Formula test.

While Doohan hasn't necessarily had the best 2025, his new partnership with Toyota and Haas could give him a route back into F1.

Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman are both signed up for 2026 though, beyond that, Ferrari academy driver Bearman is being linked as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton at the Scuderia when the seven-time champion decides to call time on his career.

Hamilton has a contract with Ferrari for 2026, with an option to extend by a further year.

His team-mate Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, is on a long-term contract through to 2029 but AutoRacer's Giuliano Duchessa reports that he will be 'free to assess his options' after seven races next season amid claims that three teams want to sign him.