Jack Doohan has turned his attention to his support role at Haas following his turbulent exit from Alpine. Doohan’s Formula 1 journey has taken a dramatic turn over the past year. After stepping into a full-time race seat at Alpine, he lost it after just five grands prix amid serious security concerns. The 23-year-old Australian is now rebuilding his career as a reserve driver with Haas.
Despite the setbacks, Doohan has not ruled out a return to the Formula 1 grid as a regular driver. However, he is clear that his immediate priority lies elsewhere.
A fresh start at Haas
Now officially part of the Haas F1 Team setup as reserve driver, Doohan insists his focus is firmly on supporting the race team rather than pushing for his own comeback.
In an interview with Formula1.com, he explained that, although he is ambitious, he does not want to distract from the team’s objectives.
“If everything develops well and the opportunity arises, I will of course seize it immediately,” he said.
“Until then, I’m honestly focused on helping the guys as best I can.”
Haas aims for driver continuity
Haas continues with its established driver line-up of Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon, and Doohan sees his role as critical in helping both drivers adapt and extract maximum performance under evolving technical regulations.
“It is extremely important that they perform to the best of their ability in the new conditions in order to secure the best possible future for the team,” he said.
“It would be selfish of me to think about myself right now. I’m putting that aside, and if I can contribute to the team’s success, I’m sure it will benefit me too.”
This marks a clear shift in tone from a driver fighting to secure his own place on the grid to one determined to prove his value behind the scenes.
The Alpine opportunity, and its abrupt end
Doohan’s current situation cannot be understood without revisiting the dramatic sequence of events that unfolded at Alpine.
In 2024, both Doohan and Esteban Ocon were under contract with the Enstone-based outfit. Shortly before the end of the season, the team parted ways with Ocon, opening the door for Doohan to take a full-time racing seat for 2025.
It was the opportunity he had worked towards for years. Yet his tenure lasted only five races.
MORE NEWS – Piastri to Ferrari or Red Bull? Montoya Drops Shock F1 Transfer Bombshell
Alpine uncertainty affected Doohan’s performance
Following his accident at the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine replaced him with Franco Colapinto. For Doohan, this marked the beginning of what he later described as a “tough time”.
“I should have had enough time in the car, and I thought I would,” he reflected.
“But it was quite clear that Miami would be my last race, so my fate was pretty much sealed. I guess I was always living on borrowed time, and it’s hard to seize opportunities when you know what’s coming.”
He admitted that the sense of uncertainty made it almost impossible to perform freely.
“Honestly, it was a real shame, but I’m trying to put it behind me and start afresh.”
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
Death threats and police protection
What was not publicly known at the time, but was later revealed in the eighth season of Drive to Survive on Netflix, was that Doohan’s Miami weekend was overshadowed by something far more serious than on-track struggles.
In the documentary, he revealed that he had received multiple death threats in the lead-up to the race.
“I received serious death threats at the Miami Grand Prix,” he said.
“I received six or seven emails informing me that if I was still in the car in Miami, all my limbs would be cut off.”
The threats prompted immediate action. Alpine coordinated with Formula 1 and the race organisers, implementing enhanced security measures. Doohan revealed that he was accompanied by armed security personnel throughout the weekend and that police escorts were required to manage the situation.
The sport responded firmly. Formula 1 issued a statement emphasising that abusive behaviour, whether online or in person, has no place in the paddock, and that such incidents would be reported to the relevant authorities.
For a young driver already under pressure to deliver results, the experience added a deeply unsettling dimension to an already fragile situation.
“I couldn’t enjoy being a Formula 1 driver, something I had dreamed of for so long,” he admitted in the series.
MORE NEWS – Piastri to Ferrari or Red Bull? Montoya Drops Shock F1 Transfer Bombshell
Rebuilding and looking ahead
Now at Haas, Doohan appears determined to make a fresh start, both mentally and professionally.
He says he felt “very comfortable” within the American team from the outset and has genuinely enjoyed making a fresh start. His reserve role allows him to remain embedded in the competitive Formula 1 environment without the immediate spotlight and scrutiny that accompanied his brief stint with Alpine.
While he acknowledges that returning to a full-time seat would be “of course a dream”, he is careful with his public messaging. Rather than demanding opportunities, he is presenting himself as a reliable and dedicated team player.
MORE NEWS – Young F1 Star One Mistake Away From Race Ban Ahead of Australian GP
NEXT ARTICLE – Update on Bahrain Grand Prix cancellation risk amid growing geopolitical uncertainty
FIA closely monitoring Middle East situation ahead of F1 return in 2026 admid what has been described by many commentators as a total ‘war zone’ – Formula 1’s planned return to the Middle East next month is under increasing scrutiny, with the FIA confirming that it is closely monitoring the region’s rapidly escalating security situation.
This statement by the governing body comes after joint strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran triggered retaliatory missile activity across parts of the Middle East. Several countries in the region have reported security incidents in recent days, raising questions about whether upcoming motorsport events can proceed as scheduled.
Monday’s press conference: US Pentagon issues update
Formula 1 is scheduled to hold back-to-back races at the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April, but much is thrown into doubt, including the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix in April, following the retaliatory attacks on the Middle East by Iran.
At 1pm UK time on Monday the 2nd of March 2026, the Pentagon issued its statements on the third day of the war against Iran, with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine in the Pentagon Briefing Room explaining Operation Epic Fury.
Caine himself admitted during the presser that the US expects the operations to go on for some time and that further personal casualties are expected…CONTINUE TO READ THIS STORY
Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
