Ex-Formulation 1 driver Jack Doohan is eyeing a transfer to the European Le Mans Sequence 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 function 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 Formulation sequence and drove in its pre-season check in Suzuka.
But it surely was a catastrophe because the Australian crashed thrice at Degner 2 for Kondo Racing and negotiations between each events subsequently collapsed, partly as a result of Doohan was anticipated to deliver a funds.
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 monitor time for the 12 months.
So, one approach to overcome that’s by contesting the six-round ELMS marketing campaign after not too long ago conducting a check with 2023 sequence champions Algarve Professional Racing in Abu Dhabi.
Jack Doohan, KONDO RACING
Picture by: Masahide Kamio
“I used to be testing the final two days in an LMP2 automotive on Monday and Tuesday,” stated Doohan throughout F1 testing in Bahrain this week.
“With the best way issues deliberate out and solely having the ability to be a 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 automotive and to do Le Mans. No matter goes to suit finest whereas additionally spending as a lot time as I can right here.”
The main sticking level with ELMS, nevertheless, is each spherical clashing with a grand prix, however Doohan is raring for much-needed monitor 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 sturdy – but additionally to get miles and to get laps,” he added.
“A very powerful 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
Picture by: Eric Le Galliot
“Simply getting laps at this cut-off date and being race-fit is the primary precedence and ideally in sturdy equipment.”
And albeit his chances are high extraordinarily slim, Doohan hopes a return to some type of racing will assist his bid to turn out to be an F1 driver once more in 2027.
“Definitely,” stated 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 Formulation 1 and to race in Formulation 1. I have been on condition that platform to have a go at with Haas, so I sit up for attempting to try this.”
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