Ex-Components 1 driver Jack Doohan is eyeing a transfer to the European Le Mans Collection for 2026 as he desperately searches for a return to full-time racing.
The 23-year-old began the 2025 F1 marketing campaign with Alpine, however was demoted again into the reserve driver position following six extremely disappointing grands prix the place he failed to attain some extent.
It clearly lowered his inventory and with no F1 groups providing him a full-time drive, Doohan appeared to Japan’s Tremendous Components sequence and drove in its pre-season check in Suzuka.
However it was a catastrophe because the Australian crashed 3 times at Degner 2 for Kondo Racing and negotiations between each events subsequently collapsed, partly as a result of Doohan was anticipated to convey a finances.
Simply days later, he introduced his swap from Alpine to Haas as reserve driver for F1 2026 and though that’s higher than nothing, it nonetheless means he’s missing observe time for the 12 months.
So, one solution to overcome that’s by contesting the six-round ELMS marketing campaign after just lately conducting a check with 2023 sequence champions Algarve Professional Racing in Abu Dhabi.
Jack Doohan, KONDO RACING
Photograph by: Masahide Kamio
“I used to be testing the final two days in an LMP2 automobile on Monday and Tuesday,” mentioned Doohan throughout F1 testing in Bahrain this week.
“With the best way issues deliberate out and solely having the ability to be part of fairly late within the 12 months of January, it hasn’t clearly revealed too many choices for racing plans.
“However probably in an ELMS, an LMP2 automobile and to do Le Mans. No matter goes to suit greatest whereas additionally spending as a lot time as I can right here.”
The most important sticking level with ELMS, nevertheless, is each spherical clashing with a grand prix, however Doohan is raring for much-needed observe time given his final full marketing campaign was F2 in 2023.
“It is tremendous necessary to have the platform and the inspiration to have the ability to carry out, primary, in one thing robust – but in addition to get miles and to get laps,” he added.
“An important factor, sure, to be in a race-winning materials and equipment is necessary, however for me at this level, I did not race in 2024, I raced six races final 12 months.
#25 ALGARVE PRO RACING Oreca 07 – Gibson: Matthias Kaiser, Lorenzo Fluxa, Théo Pourchaire
Photograph by: Eric Le Galliot
“Simply getting laps at this cut-off date and being race-fit is the primary precedence and ideally in robust equipment.”
And albeit his chances are high extraordinarily slim, Doohan hopes a return to some sort of racing will assist his bid to grow to be an F1 driver once more in 2027.
“Definitely,” mentioned Doohan, when requested if a spot on subsequent 12 months’s grid was his final ambition. “That’s the full aim. I would not be wanting simply to proceed being a reserve driver.
“My aim is to be in Components 1 and to race in Components 1. I have been on condition that platform to have a go at with Haas, so I sit up for making an attempt to try this.”
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