Jack Doohan’s Super Formula Move Signals the End of an F1 Dream: A Son of a Legend Betrayed by His Own Team’s Choices in a Harsh Sporting Landscape

Jack Doohan, the young Australian driver and son of five-time motorcycle Grand Prix world champion Mick Doohan, appears poised for a significant shift in his racing career as he reportedly gets set to join Toyota’s Super Formula roster for the 2026 season. This potential move has been catalyzed by a series of decisions made by Alpine, the Formula 1 team that once had him as a promising reserve driver. Following the first six races of the current F1 season, Doohan was demoted to reserve status in favor of Franco Colapinto, leaving him seeking alternatives in a sport that often prioritizes immediate performance over long-term potential.

The implications of this move extend far beyond a mere change of scenery; they delve into the broader themes of ambition, expectation, and the stark realities of motorsport hierarchies. In the world of Formula 1, where youth and talent are often lauded, the harsher truth is that a single season’s performance can dictate the trajectory of a young driver’s career. Doohan’s demotion raises questions about the criteria used by teams when determining their driver line-ups and the fickle nature of their decision-making processes.

Sources indicate that Doohan has been actively exploring reserve options within F1, recognizing the writing on the wall: Alpine seems inclined to retain Colapinto for 2026. This situation has been complicated further by the influence of familial legacy. Mick Doohan’s established reputation in motorsport has undoubtedly created a unique set of expectations for his son, setting a high bar that Jack must navigate as he carves out his own identity within the sport. The pressure to succeed can be overwhelming, particularly when the shadow of a legendary parent looms large.

Recent developments suggest that negotiations are underway for Doohan to join the Toyota-powered Kondo Racing team in Super Formula, a series that has seen a mix of seasoned drivers and promising newcomers. Moreover, Toyota’s global motorsport director, Masaya Kaji, hinted at the organization’s interest in Doohan without committing to specifics. This ambiguous stance reflects the intricate relationship between driver potential and team strategy, a delicate balance that can lead to opportunities or closures.

The Toyota roster is expected to undergo several changes for the 2026 season, with Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time World Rally champion, likely making his debut in Super Formula. Rovanpera’s move has already generated excitement, indicating a shift in focus towards drivers with proven success in various motorsport disciplines. This changing landscape raises questions about how teams evaluate talent—do they prioritize established winners, or is potential enough to secure a seat? Doohan’s situation highlights the precarious nature of these decisions.

The arrival of Doohan could complicate the future of current Kondo Racing driver Zak O’Sullivan, who has expressed his desire to remain with the team. O’Sullivan has shown flashes of potential, evidenced by earning points and achieving a seventh-place finish in challenging conditions. However, the competition for seats in Super Formula is fierce, and with the introduction of new talent, the stakes are high. For O’Sullivan, the prospect of being edged out by a driver with a higher profile like Doohan carries significant weight, a reality that reflects the cutthroat nature of the sport.

Team Impul, another key player in the Super Formula landscape, is rumored to be moving away from Oliver Rasmussen for the upcoming season. The Danish driver has struggled since returning from injury, leading to speculation about the team’s direction and willingness to make significant roster changes. This scenario illustrates the broader trend of teams seeking fresh talent, often at the expense of developing existing drivers. As teams increasingly look to international newcomers, the dynamic within the series shifts, emphasizing the importance of not just performance, but also marketability and the potential for growth.

Rikuto Kobayashi, currently competing in Super Formula Lights, is another name that could join the Toyota roster next season. His recent performance, including a substitute role for Team Impul, has positioned him favorably in the eyes of decision-makers. The possibility of Kobayashi’s promotion further underscores the competitive nature of driver selection in Super Formula. With teams seeking to bolster their line-ups, the pressure on every driver intensifies, making the pathway to success increasingly narrow.

In addition to the shifting driver landscape, the technical aspects of Super Formula are in flux. Recent discussions have centered on the longevity of the current Dallara car, with potential extensions of its lifespan beyond 2027 being considered. Such developments indicate that teams must not only strategize for driver performance but also adapt to the evolving technological demands of the series. The intersection of engineering and driver talent creates a complex web of challenges that teams must navigate, further complicating the decision-making process.

Doohan’s potential transition to Super Formula thus serves as a microcosm of the challenges faced by young drivers in motorsport today. The narrative of a promising talent seeking to establish his own identity amid the pressures of familial expectation and team dynamics resonates deeply within the broader context of competitive sports. As the motorsport world continues to evolve, the choices made by teams will significantly shape the next generation of drivers and the future of racing itself.

Jack Doohan appears set for a place on Toyota’s Super Formula roster next year as part of a programme that could involve Formula 1 reserve duties outside of Alpine.

The Australian driver, who was demoted to reserve status by Alpine after the first six races of the current F1 season in favour of Franco Colapinto, has been strongly linked with a seat at the Toyota-powered Kondo Racing outfit in the Japanese single-seater series for the 2026 campaign.

It comes amid talk that Doohan has been searching for alternative reserve options in F1 with it looking increasingly likely that Alpine will retain Colapinto for 2026.

Doohan’s five-time motorcycle grand prix world champion father Mick is known to have held talks in recent weeks with Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu, whose team has strong links to Toyota.

The 60-year-old was also spotted in the paddock during last weekend’s Motegi Super GT season finale in a further sign that a season in Japan could be on the cards for his son.

Toyota global motorsport director Masaya Kaji wouldn’t be drawn on a potential Haas role for the 22-year-old, but did not deny the Japanese manufacturer’s interest in him for a Super Formula drive when asked about the matter by Motorsport.com.

“There’s nothing concrete I can say now, but he is a good driver,” said Kaji.

The possible arrival of Doohan is expected to be one of several changes to the Toyota driver line-up in Super Formula for 2026.

Jack Doohan, Alpine

Two-time World Rally champion Kalle Rovanpera, whose sensational move to Super Formula was revealed by Toyota last month, appears likely to join KCMG as he gears up for his first outing in December’s rookie test at Suzuka.

That would be in place of Nirei Fukuzumi, who looks destined to switch to the one-car Rookie Racing team in place of the retiring Kazuya Oshima.

The prospect of Doohan joining Kondo raises doubts over Zak O’Sullivan’s future at the team, despite the Briton’s desire to stay on for a second season.

O’Sullivan has scored points on two occasions so far this year with a best finish of seventh coming in wet conditions at Sugo in August, and sits 15th in the standings.

Team Impul meanwhile is thought unlikely to retain Oliver Rasmussen for 2026.

The Danish former World Endurance Championship driver has struggled to make an impact since returning from injury, with a best finish of 13th in five attempts.

Impul’s other driver and Nissan Super GT regular Mitsunori Takaboshi has also failed to score points so far this year and his prospects of a second season appear bleak amid speculation the team could look to foreign newcomers to fill its seats.

Besides Doohan and Rovanpera, another likely newcomer to the Toyota roster for next season is current Super Formula Lights driver Rikuto Kobayashi, who already made one outing this season for Impul substituting for Rasmussen at Motegi.

Kobayashi could be placed at TGM Grand Prix, with the team’s two current drivers Kazuto Kotaka and Seita Nonaka poised to be dropped at the end of the season.

TGM is understood to have indicated a desire to Toyota to run one more experienced driver for next year amid its competitive struggles this season with Kotaka, Nonaka and Hibiki Taira, who was demoted to a reserve role mid-season in a swap with Nonaka.

Jack Doohan, Alpine

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