Super Formula

Jack Doohan set for Super Formula move as F1 return chances fade

Doohan looks increasingly likely to join Super Formula next season as Alpine closes in on a new deal with Franco Colapinto

Jamie Klein

Edited: Nov 6, 2025, 8:06 AM

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Jack Doohan, Alpine

Photo by: Kym Illman (Getty Images)

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

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

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.

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