Photo: Race Pictures

Doohan's Super Formula bid comes crashing down: What went wrong?

14:31, 01 Feb

byOlly Darcy

Former Alpine driver Jack Doohan was unable to secure a seat in Super Formula, losing the opportunity to race in the Japanese series.

It comes after an agreement between the Australian and Kondo Racing could not be made, meaning Japanese driver Ukyo Sasahara will take the second seat alongside Luke Browning.

Now, the future for the 23-year-old is uncertain after he officially left Alpine in the middle of January, mutually parting ways with the French team.

Jack Doohan was dropped by Alpine after just six Grand Prix weekends - Photo: Race Pictures

Triple crash troubles Doohan

Doohan took part in a three-day test at Suzuka with Kondo Racing in a bid to take a seat in Super Formula, but it did not go as planned around the iconic circuit.

The former Alpine driver crashed three times across two days of testing, with all three occurring at the infamous Degner corners, hampering his testing time and leaving him far behind the rest of the grid.

Now, negotiations could not be sorted between the two parties, meaning Doohan is still without a seat for the upcoming campaign.

Haas to open the door for Doohan?

Doohan officially left Alpine in the middle of January, completing just six Grand Prix weekends for the French team before he was replaced by Franco Colapinto.

However, a reserve driver role at Haas remains open to the Australian, with the potential to join the American team in a wider deal with Toyota.

Sasahara, a two-time race winner, will join the Super Formula grid for the first time since leaving the TOM’S Racing team at the end of the 2024 season.

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