A Turbulent Chapter Ends
The final days of 2025 have closed one of the most turbulent rookie stories in modern motorsport. On December 30, Jack Doohan posted a series of uncaptioned photos with his Alpine mechanics. The message was unmistakable. The 22-year-old Australian has walked away from Enstone. However, Doohan is not stepping back from the sport. Instead, he is launching a deliberate career reset. This plan combines elite Asian machinery with a strategic manufacturer alliance.
The Suzuka Audition: Pace Over Metal
In mid-December, Jack Doohan arrived at Suzuka for the Super Formula post-season test. He drove for the Toyota-powered Kondo Racing team. Unfortunately, the headlines focused on the wrong detail. Across three days, he crashed at the Degner corner sequence.
Nevertheless, the garage told a different story. Team manager Nobuaki Adachi defended Doohan immediately. He cited freezing temperatures and aggressive test setups. More importantly, Doohan delivered clear technical feedback and strong pace. He finished ninth among fourteen rookies. As a result, Kondo now views him as the leading candidate for a 2026 race seat alongside Luke Browning.
The Haas-Toyota Lifeline
Meanwhile, the most important element of Doohan’s plan sits outside Japan. It centers on the growing alliance between Toyota Gazoo Racing and the Haas F1 Team. With Toyota joining as Haas’s title partner, a clear manufacturer pathway has emerged.
By racing Toyota machinery in Super Formula, Doohan stays within that ecosystem. Consequently, sources suggest he could become Haas’s reserve driver in 2026. This role would keep him active in Japan while maintaining a presence in the F1 paddock. Therefore, he positions himself as a leading option should a seat open in 2027.
A Clean Break from Enstone
Finally, Doohan needed a clean break from Alpine. He secured that release in December. Now a free agent, he can align fully with Toyota and Haas.
This move carries risk. He trades reserve security for full-time racing. However, Super Formula remains the closest platform to Formula 1 in performance. For Doohan, that trade-off may define his route back to the grid.
Beyond the Grid: Jack Doohan’s 2026 Strategy
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