Jack Doohan’s Haas F1 Test Could Shape His Future

Jack Doohan has not given up on his dream of returning to Formula 1. The 23 year old Australian, who lost his seat at Alpine in 2025 after only six races, will have an opportunity to prove his worth with Haas. The American team has reserved a test for him at the Jerez circuit after the Madrid Grand Prix. This means that this session could become a genuine audition to secure a seat for 2027.

Doohan's career in Formula 1 was brief and marked by pressure. Promoted to a full time driver by Alpine at the end of 2024, the Australian began the 2025 season with unusual pressure for a rookie. Franco Colapinto's arrival as a reserve driver had fueled questions about his future even before the Australian Grand Prix, and after just six races, Alpine decided to make the change.

Doohan made mistakes, such as the crash at Suzuka that caused major damage to his car, and he failed to find the necessary results to reverse a trend that already seemed defined. His statistical record does not help: no points scored and a thirteenth place as his best result.

However, one must consider whether those few appearances really allowed for an evaluation of his potential. Doohan arrived at his full-time debut without the possibility of going through that learning phase that is normally granted to a debutant.

The Australian found himself in the situation of having to prove that he deserved a seat that seemed to be in question practically from the moment he occupied it. Even the most highly rated rookies need time to complete the step up to Formula 1, a process that does not only refer to pure speed. Doohan had to condense all this into six Grands Prix with the awareness that every mistake would carry more weight than normal.

His arrival at Haas represented a new starting point. He joined the team as a reserve driver, sharing the role with Ryo Hirakawa, and found a structure that, thanks to the collaboration with Toyota, has significantly expanded its testing program.

For a driver in his situation, it is probably one of the most interesting environments, not only because it allows for direct contact with Formula 1, but above all because it offers the possibility of getting back behind the wheel.

Doohan's test is not an isolated event. Haas has organized a testing program with several young drivers, including Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Câmara, who will be on track at Portimao. Doohan will not be present at that test, but the team has guaranteed him a separate day at Jerez. If Haas waits until the end of September to announce its second driver for 2027, it will mean that Doohan's candidacy is concrete and will be evaluated on equal terms.

For Doohan, this is a golden opportunity. Today's Formula 1 gives very little time to rookies, and the Australian was probably one of the most extreme examples. Now he will have the chance to get back behind the wheel without the pressure of a race weekend and without a verdict to be delivered within a few weeks. There is no guarantee that the path will lead to a seat in 2027, but at last there is the possibility of building a candidacy on something concrete.