A Definitive Break at Year’s End
The final hours of 2025 delivered a clear ending to one of Formula 1’s most turbulent rookie stories. On December 30, Jack Doohan turned to social media and shared a series of uncaptioned, bittersweet images. The photos showed him embracing his Alpine mechanics. As a result, the message was unmistakable: the Australian had walked away from Enstone. However, Doohan did not retreat from the sport. Instead, he launched a high-stakes career reset. Crucially, this plan focuses on the fastest cars in Asia and a strategic link between two major motorsport brands.
The Suzuka Audition: Speed Over Damage
In mid-December, Doohan arrived at the legendary Suzuka Circuit for the Super Formula post-season test. He drove for Toyota-powered Kondo Racing. Unfortunately, his debut attracted attention for the wrong reasons. Across all three days, he crashed at the Degner Curve. Nevertheless, the atmosphere inside the garage told a different story. Kondo Racing manager Nobuaki Adachi quickly defended the 22-year-old. He explained that freezing winter conditions and aggressive experimental setups caused the incidents. More importantly, Doohan delivered strong technical feedback. At the same time, he showed competitive pace.
Consequently, he finished ninth among fourteen rookies. That result convinced the team. As a result, Doohan emerged as the frontrunner for a 2026 race seat alongside Williams junior Luke Browning.
The Haas-Toyota Lifeline
The core of Doohan’s 2026 strategy, however, sits beyond Japan. Instead, it lies in the expanding TGR–Haas F1 Team alliance. With Toyota Gazoo Racing stepping in as Haas’s title partner for 2026, a clear manufacturer bridge now exists. By racing Toyota-powered machinery in Japan’s top single-seater series, Doohan stays inside the manufacturer’s inner circle. Therefore, this proximity has reportedly opened the door to a Haas Reserve Driver role in 2026. Under such a setup, Doohan would move between Super Formula weekends and the Formula 1 paddock. Consequently, he would position himself as the leading candidate should a race seat open in 2027.
A Father’s Final Chess Move
Many in the paddock credit this reset to Mick Doohan. The five-time MotoGP champion has played a decisive role behind the scenes. After Jack lost his Alpine seat to Franco Colapinto, Mick Doohan reportedly entered direct talks with Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu. By securing a clean break from Alpine, Jack Doohan gained full freedom. As a result, he can now race exclusively under Toyota and Haas colors. It is a calculated risk. He trades the relative safety of an F1 reserve role for full-time competition elsewhere. However, the upside is clear. Super Formula remains the closest discipline to Formula 1, corner for corner. Therefore, this decision could ultimately define Doohan’s path back to the grid.
