Jack Doohan looks set to quit Formula 1, having realised that he is surely not going to get another chance to race for Alpine. The Australian made his debut in Abu Dhabi last year and raced the first six rounds of the current campaign, but was replaced after the Miami Grand Prix having not scored a point.

His replacement Franco Colapinto has also failed to registed a top-10 finish since taking his race seat. However, Alpine seem to be satisfied with the progress the Argentine has made over the course of the year and are believed to be set on offering him the chance to continue to partner Pierre Gasly heading into the 2026 season.

Such an outcome would effectively end Doohan’s slim chances of getting another chance to show what he can do. He has remained with Alpine as a reserve driver but with diminished responsibilities and he looks likely to cut ties at the end of the year.

And the 22-year-old has dropped a significant hint over where he might show up next. According to Japanese website Auto Sport Web, Doohan was recently seen with his motorcycle racing champion father Mick at the Motegi circuit, north of Tokyo, watching the final round of the Super GT championship.

The report claims the Doohans had travelled to Japan to negotiate a race seat in next year’s Super Formula championship. Meanwhile, if Alpine do choose to continue to race Colapinto next year, then Paul Aron will be the main backup to their driver pairing is eligible to take part in rookie free practice sessions, while Doohan no longer qualifies as a rookie given his short stint in an F1 race seat.

The Aussie is among several drivers looking at the Japanese Super Formula series as a good option for the 2026 season. That includes Leonardo Fornaroli who leads the Formula 2 championship and is the title favourite, but who will not get an immediate promotion to F1 and so will need to race elsewhere if he wants to continue to compete while he waits for an F1 slot to open up.

Fornaroli is also eyeing a reserve role in F1 for 2026 if he can land one, but the Italian is not currently affiliated with any driver development programmes despite his F2 title charge this year.

Richard Verschoor, who has been in F2 for five years without coming close to landing a promotion to F1, is also believed to be looking at his Super Formula options. Another high-profile racer already confirmed is World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanpera, who has switched to single-seater motorsport with the intention of one day getting the chance to compete in F1.