DOOHAN JOINS HAAS AS RESERVE DRIVE AFTER ALPINE EXIT

Jack Doohan is back in the F1 paddock, joining the American-owned Haas F1 Team as a reserve driver for the upcoming season. The 23-year-old was dropped by Alpine last year and is now looking for a path back to a full-time seat, calling Haas the "ideal place" to continue his F1 career. Team principal Ayao Komatsu cited Doohan's "strength of his racing resume" and prior reserve experience as key factors.

Doohan will serve alongside Ryo Hirakawa, creating some irony as Hirakawa previously replaced Doohan for an FP1 session at Alpine. This move is particularly significant for Haas given Oliver Bearman's precarious situation; he currently sits on 10 penalty points. Should Bearman collect two more early in the season, Doohan would be a prime candidate to step into the VF-24. After a disastrous Super Formula test where he crashed three times, Doohan now gets a crucial opportunity with the only American team on the grid, positioning himself for a potential emergency call-up.