Jack Doohan maintains F1 ambition despite ELMS move, insists 'foot in the door' remains
Jack Doohan begins his European Le Mans Series campaign this weekend, insisting his Formula 1 ambition remains very much alive. The Haas reserve driver views the endurance racing move as a way to stay sharp and consistent, claiming he still has a tangible "foot in the door" for an F1 future, not just distant hope.
Haas reserve driver Jack Doohan is adamant his Formula 1 dream is still alive as he returns to full-time racing in the European Le Mans Series this weekend, viewing the endurance campaign as a way to stay "race fit" while pursuing his ultimate goal.
Why it matters:
Doohan's situation highlights the precarious path for drivers on the F1 periphery. His move to sports car racing is a pragmatic step to maintain sharpness, but his continued insistence on a tangible F1 opportunity—not just hope—reflects the delicate balance young talents must strike between pursuing the pinnacle and building a viable professional career elsewhere in motorsport.
The details:
- Doohan will make his ELMS debut this weekend in Barcelona with Nielsen Racing in the LMP2 class, partnering with Roy Nissany and Edward Pearson.
- This marks his return to consistent competition after being dropped by Alpine early in the 2024 season and having raced only sporadically over the past two years.
- He frames the ELMS campaign as essential preparation, stating, "It's important to do this to get race fit and build up consistency again."
- Despite the shift in discipline, Doohan is unequivocal about his primary objective: "Formula 1 is the ultimate goal, and right now there's still a good opportunity, not just a hope in the air. There's still a foot in the door."
- He acknowledges sports cars as a credible career alternative, adding, "I definitely don't rule it out... you can have a great career in sports cars," but only if the F1 path closes.
Looking ahead:
Doohan's immediate focus is on adapting to the spec ORECA 07 and the challenges of endurance racing with his new team. His performance in ELMS will be closely watched as a barometer of his current form and professionalism. Maintaining his reserve role with Haas keeps him in the F1 ecosystem, but converting that into a race seat will require a compelling combination of opportunity, timing, and proven readiness—something he aims to demonstrate through his ELMS campaign.