Fri Apr 03 11:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Jack Doohan Secures ELMS Seat with Nielsen Racing While Retaining Haas F1 Reserve Role
The Story:
Jack Doohan, formerly with Alpine F1, has secured a racing seat with Nielsen Racing in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) for the 2026 season. He will pilot the #24 LMP2 Oreca machine alongside Briton Ed Pearson and Israeli Roy Nissany. This opportunity allows Doohan to return to competitive racing after losing his Alpine F1 seat in early 2025 and subsequently joining Haas as a reserve driver. Doohan will balance his ELMS commitments with his reserve driver duties for Haas F1, alongside Japanese endurance star Ryo Hirakawa, ensuring Haas always has a backup driver available.
Key Points:
* Jack Doohan will race for Nielsen Racing in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in 2026.
* He will drive the #24 LMP2 Oreca machine.
* His teammates will be Ed Pearson and Roy Nissany.
* The 2026 ELMS season starts with the 4 Hours of Barcelona on April 12.
* Doohan remains a reserve driver for Haas F1, alongside Ryo Hirakawa.
Critical Analysis:
The move for Doohan to ELMS, while retaining his Haas reserve role, points to a strategic approach both by Doohan and Haas. Doohan gains valuable racing experience and visibility in a competitive series, keeping his skills sharp and potentially opening doors for future F1 opportunities. For Haas, having two reserve drivers with active racing commitments (Hirakawa in FIA WEC and Doohan in ELMS) ensures constant availability and potentially better-prepared backups compared to drivers solely focused on simulator work. The historical context suggests the move was already anticipated and has been viewed as a positive career move for Doohan following his departure from Alpine.
Key Takeaways:
* Jack Doohan’s career path involves balancing F1 reserve duties with active racing in other series.
* Haas F1 is prioritizing the availability and preparedness of its reserve drivers.
* ELMS provides a platform for drivers to gain experience and exposure outside of F1.
* The collaboration between Doohan and Nielsen Racing is designed to be mutually beneficial, with Doohan seeking a return to competitive racing and Nielsen Racing gaining a talented driver.
Impact Analysis:
Doohan’s move to ELMS could significantly impact his future F1 prospects. Success in the series could bolster his reputation and make him a more attractive candidate for future F1 seats. Simultaneously, it provides Haas with a well-rounded reserve driver with recent racing experience. This could also signal a broader trend in F1, where teams prioritize reserve drivers with active racing commitments to ensure they are race-ready when needed. The success of this model could lead other teams and drivers to explore similar arrangements.
First Piper 