"He has been confirmed to participate in the Super Formula Suzuka Test." Jack Doohan is ending his relationship with Alpine and shifting his career focus towards Toyota - and possibly Haas - as the 2026 season approaches. The Australian began 2025 as a rookie race driver for Alpine, competing in six grand prix races before Flavio Briatore unexpectedly replaced him with Franco Colapinto. Doohan remained as a reserve driver for the rest of the season, but according to Finland’s Ilta Sanomat, that chapter is now concluded. This week, Doohan has resurfaced in Japan, confirmed for all three days of the Super Formula post-season test at Suzuka, which was announced by the series on Monday. "Jack Doohan is confirmed to join the Super Formula Suzuka Test scheduled for December 10, 11, and 12," the series stated. As per the report, the participation of 22-year-old Mick Doohan’s son is more than just an offseason appearance. It is believed that Toyota is supporting his 2026 Super Formula campaign, placing him firmly within the manufacturer’s expanding single-seater framework. Toyota's influence now extends to Haas through their strengthening partnership and new title sponsorship agreement, and it is understood that Doohan is in discussions about a reserve role with the American team for next year. Similar to rally star Kalle Rovanpera, who is also pursuing a full Super Formula program with support from Toyota, Doohan will participate in every morning and afternoon session this week at Suzuka as he aims to reset his career in Japan and establish connections with an organization that is rapidly growing its international motorsport presence.

      "He performed well in the crucial moments."

      As Lando Norris embarks on his initial days as the Formula 1 world champion, discussions have swiftly shifted to the type of champion he embodies and whether this new era is truly his. Former Ferrari head Maurizio Arrivabene commented that Norris was "adequate in the crucial moments," even if the championship could have been secured earlier. "Perhaps he could have clinched the title sooner, but he excelled during the pivotal moments," he shared in Leo Turrini’s Quotidiano column. "However, I want to highlight the team’s achievements.

      McLaren experienced a long drought - 26 years without winning the constructors’ championship, and seventeen years without claiming the drivers’ title. They navigated through tough times and fostered a competitive mindset. That’s why I initially mentioned Stella." Andrea Stella, the Italian team principal and former Ferrari engineer, receives much of Arrivabene’s accolades. "Everyone in the organization speaks favorably of him," he stated. "Without Andrea Stella, McLaren would never have regained its greatness. This is a significant recognition for our motorsport culture."

      However, any suggestion that a shift in dominance is occurring, marking the end of the Verstappen era, elicits laughter. "Don’t be ridiculous! Max is a phenomenon. There are 50,000 components in a single-seater, and he manages to maximize the potential of each one." Arrivabene even makes a bold comparison: "Verstappen is the successor to Michael Schumacher. He possesses the same strength and leadership qualities. He knows how to motivate those around him."

      Former F1 driver Timo Glock also contributed to the emerging narrative of ‘nice guys can win titles’ surrounding Norris. "In terms of his style, he’s not a Max Verstappen - he has often mentioned this himself," Glock told Sky Deutschland. "With the right car, he stands a good chance of contending for the World Championship. However, competing against Max will always be a challenge. The key question is how much he can develop from his experiences this year - mentally - to take the next step."

      In the meantime, Norris has announced that he will carry the champion’s number 1 next season. "It’s tradition, and there’s a reason for it," he smiled. "It’s not as impressive to say ’we are number four’, so the team will be even more excited than I am!" Celebrations in Abu Dhabi continued into the early hours, with La Repubblica reporting that only one fellow driver - Charles Leclerc - joined Norris at the post-race festivities.