It’s official. Jack Doohan will not be returning to Formula 1 for the 2026 season.
Alpine have decided to extend Franco Colapinto to partner Pierre Gasly, meaning Doohan has been left hanging for the foreseeable future.
The long list of Formula 1 rejects grows through the seasons, but Doohan should be happy he got to the main game at all.
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His Formula 2 rivals who won the junior category title, Theo Pourchaire and Felipe Drugovich, never even got the chance to race in any season of F1.
Once a driver wins the F2 title, they are unable to return for another season, usually leaving them effectively kicked out as teams rarely promote a driver straight from the junior category.
Jack Doohan of Alpine F1 looks on during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami. LAT Images
Although Doohan posted seven races in Formula 1, he is now stuck on the sidelines.
What’s next for the Australian?
Super Formula
Doohan has been spotted in Japan’s Super Formula paddock recently.
The category is a Red Bull favourite to send their surplus drivers when there is no room for them in the main game. So the fact that Doohan was a Red Bull-sponsored driver from 2017 – 2021 might point to this being a viable option.
Both Liam Lawson and Gasly drove in the Super Formula arena, with Lawson taking a host of records with him including being the first rookie to win on debut in the category.
Winner Liam Lawson celebrates in parc ferme at Fuji International Speedway. LAT Images
The Super Formula cars are about the closest you can get to driving F1 cars.
Doohan would be well poised to join Super Formula. He’d be behind the wheel of a car, rather than sitting out with no driving opportunities and be able to show off his skills in a different car to categories he might pivot to.
Axed Formula 1 drivers have moved to GT racing, sports car racing or have stayed in Japan to carve out a future there, so Doohan has the perfect opportunity to find his skillset.
Formula 1 opportunities
So this one is a long stretch.
The F1 grid is packed with talent and most drivers are locked in with multiple year contracts that see them through 2026 and beyond.
Mick Doohan and Jack Doohan. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Doohan’s father Mick has been seen talking to Haas executives to see if there was movement in the team, but with rookie Ollie Bearman’s stellar performances and Esteban Ocon’s veteran experience, the team has been posting their best results for a long time.
We can comfortably say that the relationship down in Alpine would be frosty between the two camps and there would be no desire to return to the garage.
Red Bull have yet to announced their 2026 line up but the team announced will be chosen internally, meaning the drivers on the grid now will be the same for next season, with some potential changes to the main stable pairing.
Daniel Ricciardo attends day two of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 01, 2025 in London Karwai Tang/WireImage
Maybe Doohan will just fade off into the distance out of the sport, a la Daniel Ricciardo.
But either way, there is no current spot for the young Australian in F1 and it looks like he will need to find another venture for his racing career.