There was no regular cockpit available for Jack Doohan in Formula 1 this season; for the time being he had to make do with the position as reserve driver at Haas. But now a decision has been made: the Australian will take part in another racing series at the same time.
Jack Doohan can get behind the wheel again. The 23-year-old will compete in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). The reserve driver from Formula 1 racing team Haas will drive for the Nielsen Racing team alongside Ed Pearson and Roy Nissany in the LMP2 Oreca.
Doohan made his debut in the premier class (15th place) for Alpine in the last race of the 2024 Formula 1 season and was scheduled to be a regular driver for the following year. In 2025, however, he only took part in the first six races; he was eliminated from the opener in Melbourne and his last outing in Miami. Franco Colapinto then took over the cockpit, Jack Doohan had to be content with the reserve role.
After leaving Alpine, Doohan initially tried to gain a foothold in the Super Formula, but was unable to secure a regular place in the Kondo Racing team during the test drives. Now he is starting a new chapter.
Hardly any adjustment time for Jack Doohan
“I’m really looking forward to racing again in 2026 and competing in my first season in LMP2 for Nielsen Racing,” Doohan is quoted as saying by “f1.com”: “It’s a new challenge where I still have a lot to learn, but I’m confident that with such a strong team at my side we’ll get up to speed quickly.”
After signing with Nielsen Racing, things are now coming together in quick succession for Jack Doohan. The endurance series season opens on April 12th with the 4 Hours of Barcelona at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The ex-F1 regular driver will have to quickly get used to his new company car. “The Oreca 07 is a fantastic car and a completely different challenge, and I can hardly wait to get started in the European Le Mans Series,” he says in advance.
There are currently no personnel problems with Haas on Formula 1 racing weekends: another replacement driver, Ryo Hirakawa, is under contract, who takes part in the FIA World Endurance Championship on alternating weekends.
