An F1 driver who was given the boot ahead of the 2026 campaign has confirmed his competitive return to motorsport.
Jack Doohan competed in six races for Alpine in F1 last season, starting off the term as a full-time driver alongside Pierre Gasly.
However he did not produce on the grid and failed to accrue any points, his highest finish coming in 13th in China and Doohan suffering two DNFs.
The Australia was demoted to reserve driver and replaced by Franco Colapinto, who kept the seat for the 2026 season.
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Left in limbo, Doohan left Alphine and proceeded to sign with Haas as a reserve driver. He is effectively back-up to Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman but Doohan will return to racing in the near future after signing up for the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) endurance competition.
He is to represent Nielsen Racing alongside Briton Ed Pearson and Israeli Roy Nissany and could make his debut at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
"I’m really excited to be back racing in 2026 and to be joining Nielsen Racing for my first season in LMP2,” Doohan told the official Formula One website.
“It’s a new challenge with a lot to learn, but I’m confident we’ll get up to speed quickly with such a strong team around me.
"With Roy Nissany and Ed Pearson, we have a great mix of experience and hunger, and I’m looking forward to building strong chemistry and pushing for results.
“The Oreca 07 is a fantastic car and a very different challenge, and I can’t wait to get started in the European Le Mans Series.”
The exploits in the ELMS, an endurance race that typically lasts four hours, should not clash with duties in Formula One if called upon.
In fact, he is one of two reserve drivers for Haas alongside Ryo Hirakawa, who is also participating in the ELMS. The two will be racing alternative weekends and so there will no clash for Haas.
Bearman suffered a terrifying crash in the Japanese Grand Prix and had to be taken to the medical facility after limping away with the aid of marshals. A safety car was deployed as a result.
Thankfully he avoided a serious injury and recently told F1's website that he is "absolutely fine".
Doohan and Hirakawa are waiting in the wings in the event he cannot race but the break before the Miami Grand Prix next month after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia events were cancelled should give Bearman enough time to return.
Topics: Formula 1
Josh Lawless