Jerez form reshapes Haas search after Ocon’s confirmed exit
Jack Doohan has moved into a credible position to return to Formula 1 in 2027, with PlanetF1 reporting that the Australian is now a serious contender to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas.
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According to the outlet’s Thomas Maher, the contest for the seat alongside Oliver Bearman has narrowed to a two-way fight between Doohan and Ferrari-backed Rafael Camara. Should Doohan prevail, the 2027 Formula 1 grid would feature two Australians, with Doohan joining McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Ocon’s Haas Exit Confirmed
The development carries weight because Haas has already closed one door. On Wednesday, 30 September, ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, Ocon announced that his time with the American team would end after the 2026 season.
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Haas confirmed the split shortly afterwards, with team principal Ayao Komatsu thanking the Frenchman for his professionalism and commitment, and noting that the team would not discuss its 2027 driver line-up at that stage.
Ocon’s departure had been widely anticipated within the paddock. The Frenchman described himself as a free agent for 2027 during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, and his results have trailed those of Bearman across both seasons together.
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Before the Bahrain weekend, the Associated Press noted that Ocon had seven points in 2026 against his team-mate’s 20. In his own statement, Ocon insisted his Formula 1 career was far from over.
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For much of the autumn, the leading candidate to succeed him appeared to be Camara. The Brazilian, a product of the Ferrari driver academy and a frontrunner in this year’s Formula 2 standings, impressed during a Haas test at Portimao, and several outlets reported that his signing was close.
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Formula 1’s own coverage described him as the overwhelming favourite, while Haas stopped short of confirming any appointment.
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Doohan’s route back is a notable one. The 23-year-old son of five-time 500cc motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan took Ocon’s Alpine seat for the final round of the 2024 season, then graduated to a full-time drive in 2025.
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He contested only seven races before Alpine replaced him with Franco Colapinto after the Miami Grand Prix, and he subsequently signed with Haas as a reserve driver, determined to earn a full-time seat again.
That reserve role has now given him a platform. Haas arranged a private test at Jerez in September, widely viewed as an audition, and Doohan’s performance there has reshaped the picture.
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A source reports that the outing complicated Haas’s decision-making and left Doohan locked in what it characterises as an evenly balanced battle with Camara. Earlier reporting had suggested Doohan was never a real option, which makes the shift in momentum all the more striking.
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The contest is not formally limited to two names. Komatsu has previously confirmed that five names were under consideration: Ocon, Camara, Doohan, Ryo Hirakawa and Leonardo Fornaroli.
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Hirakawa, the Toyota-backed driver and Haas’s other reserve, has lapped competitively in practice and testing but is not expected to be promoted, according to Formula 1’s reporting. Fornaroli, the McLaren reserve, also emerged as a strong contender during the process.
What Haas Must Weigh Before Deciding
Commercial and political considerations will weigh alongside lap times. Camara’s Brazilian profile has been linked to potential sponsorship support, while Ferrari, which supplies Haas’s power units and backs Bearman, has an obvious interest in advancing its academy graduates.
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Toyota’s technical partnership with Haas strengthens Hirakawa’s position in a comparable way. Doohan’s case, by contrast, rests more heavily on his pace and his existing place within the team as a reserve.
For Haas, the decision carries sporting stakes beyond a single seat. The team is navigating a major regulation reset, and Komatsu has credited Ocon’s experience and input in developing the VF-26.
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Replacing an experienced driver with a rookie, whether Camara or Fornaroli, would alter the balance of knowledge inside the garage, whereas Doohan brings grand prix experience and an existing place inside the team. Against that, Camara’s feeder-series record and Ferrari connection present a compelling long-term case.
Opportunity across the grid is scarce. Aston Martin has retained Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll for 2027, and The Race reports that Ocon is likely to pursue a reserve role next year, with a return to a race seat targeted for 2028. Other outlets have linked him with a move to Toyota’s endurance programme.
What Happens Next at Haas
It is important to distinguish between reporting and confirmation. At the time of writing, Haas has not announced its 2027 line-up, and Bearman’s continuation, while widely expected, has not been confirmed.
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The Doohan narrative rests on sourced reported, and earlier coverage from other outlets reached different conclusions, which underlines how fluid the situation remains. Komatsu has so far avoided ruling out any of the established candidates, which keeps the decision genuinely open.
Attention now turns to the closing races of the 2026 season, with the Singapore Grand Prix this weekend followed by rounds in the United States, Mexico City and Brazil.
No timetable for a Haas announcement has been made public, and readers should treat unattributed claims with caution until the team issues a formal statement.
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For now, the position is straightforward: Ocon is leaving, the seat remains open, and Doohan has made himself a serious part of the conversation.
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