A Difficult Goodbye for Australian Fans
The final days of 2025 have delivered the closure Australian motorsport fans had been waiting for. However, it was not the ending many hoped to see. Jack Doohan, the 22-year-old whose Formula 1 dream stalled after a mid-season sacking at Alpine, has now officially said goodbye to the French squad. At the same time, the paddock is preparing for a major regulatory shift in 2026. Instead of waiting on the traditional reserve-driver sidelines, Doohan has chosen a different path. Specifically, he is heading to Japan. There, he will spearhead a high-stakes rebuilding project that could place him directly on the Haas F1 Team’s radar.
The “Horror Test” at Suzuka: A Blessing in Disguise?
In early December, Doohan returned to the global stage at the legendary Suzuka circuit. He took part in the annual Super Formula post-season test with Toyota-powered Kondo Racing. Unfortunately, his debut drew attention for the wrong reasons. Over three days, he crashed three times at the Degner Curve. Nevertheless, the story inside the garage looked very different. Kondo Racing manager Nobuaki Adachi quickly defended the Australian. He explained that freezing December temperatures and experimental setups caused the incidents. Despite the messy finish, Doohan still delivered strong technical feedback. Moreover, he showed competitive pace. As a result, he finished ninth among fourteen rookies. Consequently, the team left Suzuka convinced. Doohan now stands as the frontrunner to lead Kondo’s 2026 campaign alongside Williams junior Luke Browning.
The Haas Lifeline: A Strategic Partnership
The most intriguing development in Doohan’s career isn’t just his mThe most intriguing development in Doohan’s career, however, is not just his move to Japan. Instead, it is his potential route back to Formula 1. Recently, Toyota Gazoo Racing entered a major technical partnership with the Haas F1 Team. As a result, a clear “Toyota ecosystem” has formed. Reports from the Abu Dhabi finale suggest that Mick Doohan has been negotiating a dual-role plan for 2026. Under this structure, Jack Doohan would race full-time in Super Formula. At the same time, he would serve as Haas’s official F1 Reserve Driver, replacing Ollie Bearman. Therefore, the benefits flow both ways. Haas gains a driver with recent F1 race experience. Meanwhile, Toyota retains a proven talent in its premier Japanese series. Ultimately, this strategy positions Doohan as a serious contender for a 2027 race seat.
The Alpine Chapter Closes
On December 30, 2025, Doohan shared a series of emotional, uncaptioned photos on social media, showing him embracing his Alpine mechanics. The posts confirmed what many suspected: the relationship with the Enstone-based team, led by Flavio Briatore, is over. By severing ties with Alpine a year before his contract was set to expire, Doohan has gained the freedom to align with the Toyota/Haas camp. For Alpine, the focus remains squarely on Franco Colapinto, who has been officially confirmed to partner Pierre Gasly for 2026.
The Lone Aussie on the Grid
Therefore, the benefits flow both ways. Haas gains a driver with recent F1 race experience. Meanwhile, Toyota retains a proven talent in its premier Japanese series. Ultimately, this strategy positions Doohan as a serious contender for a 2027 race seat.
Inside the Paddock: Jack Doohan’s Survival Strategy
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