A potential lifeline for Jack Doohan's F1 career has emerged, offering a glimmer of hope for his return to the grid. The key to this opportunity lies in the deepening relationship between Toyota and Haas, which could open doors for Doohan's comeback in F1 2027.
Doohan's journey took a turn in early 2025 when he was dropped as a race driver by Alpine, leaving him on the sidelines for the majority of the season. But here's where it gets interesting: Doohan, seemingly without a future at Enstone, is determined to keep his racing career alive while staying connected to the F1 paddock.
His plans include a trip to Japan to participate in the Super Formula rookie test at Suzuka, an exciting prospect that could lead to a spot on the Super Formula grid next season. And this is the part most people miss: PlanetF1.com has exclusive insights suggesting that Toyota's support will be a crucial factor in Doohan's move to Super Formula.
But wait, there's more! Doohan is also in the running for a Reserve driver role with Haas, a position that could pave the way for an F1 race return in 2027. Haas currently has Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman under contract for F1 2026, but both are expected to be out of contract at the end of next season. Enter Toyota's World Endurance Championship winner, Ryo Hirakawa, who is also on Haas' books and has been filling the reserve driver role.
As of now, no deals have been finalized, and Doohan remains under contract with Alpine until the end of 2026. However, his F1 deal is not believed to hinder his participation in this week's Suzuka test. The key to unlocking a position on the grid and with Haas lies in obtaining a release from Enstone.
Doohan's management has also undergone a change, with the young Aussie now represented by someone other than Alpine team boss Flavio Briatore. This shift in representation could be a crucial factor in Doohan's future career moves.
Additionally, there are rumors of TPC outings for Doohan as part of the deal, although the details of this program are still being worked out, with budget considerations playing a significant role.
As we head into the Abu Dhabi season finale, Haas is currently in eighth place with 73 points, just seven points behind Aston Martin for seventh and five clear of Sauber in ninth. The prize money teams receive is based on their finishing position in the previous year's championship, so an improved showing in 2025 will result in a larger share of the split next season.
Estimates suggest that seventh place this year could be worth around $80 million next season, compared to $69 million for ninth. This highlights the importance of Haas' performance and the potential impact on their future plans.
Toyota and Haas have been using their TPC running this year as a means to upskill staff and build redundancy within their workforce. For next season, Haas will adopt Toyota's title branding, and their relationship could deepen further, with suggestions that the Japanese company could become a minor shareholder in the organization. This could even provide a clear exit strategy for team owner Gene Haas when the time comes.
The immediate focus, however, is on finalizing the reserve driver plans for 2026, with Doohan expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks, once his release from Alpine is secured. The future of F1 is an exciting and ever-evolving landscape, and the potential return of Jack Doohan adds an intriguing layer to the sport's narrative. What do you think? Will we see Doohan back on the F1 grid in 2027? Share your thoughts in the comments!
