Jack Doohan joins Haas as reserve driver for 2026 F1 season following release from Alpine
Jack Doohan will return to Formula 1 with Haas after being released by Alpine last month; Doohan drove in the first six rounds of 2025 for Alpine; watch every round of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8
Tuesday 3 February 2026 10:12, UK
Haas have signed Jack Doohan as a reserve driver for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Doohan was a free agent after being released by Alpine in January, having started the 2025 season with one of their race seats before being replaced by Franco Colapinto after just six rounds.
The 22-year-old Australian will back up Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon at Haas, joining Japan's Ryo Hirakawa as a reserve option for the American-owned team.
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''I'm thrilled to be joining TGR Haas F1 Team. It's the ideal place to continue my Formula 1 career," said Doohan, who is the son of five-time MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan.
"I would like to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to grow and take on the great challenge of 2026 together. I'm eager to begin working with the team and collaborating on a successful season.''
Doohan's rookie campaign appeared doomed before it had even begun, with speculation rife before the first race of the 2025 season that he would be replaced by Colapinto early in the year.
The speculation became reality after he failed to score a point in the first six rounds, albeit in an underperforming Alpine car that Colapinto would also fail to score in across the remaining 18 rounds.
Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said: "I'm personally very excited to have Jack join us on the team given the strength of his racing resume and of course his experience in being a reserve driver in Formula 1.
"The dedication required to remain sharp and prepared to race while getting to know how the team works and so on, it's challenging for any driver - especially one who's obviously still very keen to race again at this level. I've enjoyed getting to know Jack and we're looking forward to welcoming him into the team and benefiting from his contributions."
When is F1 Bahrain pre-season testing?
The introduction of new regulations means there is a robust schedule of three separate testing events before the start of the 2026 season.
With the closed Barcelona Shakedown now complete, F1 will next head to Bahrain for two 'official' pre-season tests, when media will be present and live timing from the circuit available.
Two three-day Bahrain tests take place on February 11-13 and 18-20.
When is the first F1 race?
The teams then have two weeks to prepare for the opening round of the season, which is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8.
The first practice sessions of the season will take place on Friday March 6, with Qualifying on Saturday March 7 and the opening race on Sunday March 8.
Watch every race of the 2026 F1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime
