Former Alpine Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan has been dealt a major career blow after missing out on a drive in the Japanese Super Formula championship.
The Australian was ousted from the Enstone-based squad after the Miami Grand Prix last year, after starting the year alongside Pierre Gasly.
Doohan had been the subject of longstanding rumours that he would be replaced by reserve driver Franco Colapinto, who was signed prior to the start of the season.
And the Argentinian took the seat alongside Gasly from Imola onwards, leaving Doohan out in the cold.
Upon the confirmation that he had exited Alpine altogether, Doohan partook in a pre-season test at Suzuka for the Realize Kondo Racing team, which signed another F1 hopeful in the shape of Williams reservist Luke Browning.
Jack Doohan was handed a drive with Alpine last year, but was axed after the Miami Grand Prix in favour of Franco Colapinto
The test was far from fruitful, as Doohan suffered three crashes in as many days, but it still appeared as if the son of bike racing legend Mick would still be afforded the chance to prove his talent in the category.
But in an 11th hour change of mind, the drive has been handed to Toyota-backed driver and former Formula Renault driver Ukyo Sashara, leaving Doohan without any significant options for 2026.
Other drivers competing alongside Browning in the championship this year include fellow British talent Zak O’Sullivan [who was fastest in the Formula E rookie test this week], ex-FE driver Sacha Fenestraz, popular former F1 star Kamui Kobayashi and Kalle Rovanpera, who is making his single-seater debut after his retirement from rallying.
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