Overview
- Kondo Racing announced Ukyo Sasahara as its second driver alongside Luke Browning, closing out the final seat on the 23-car 2026 Super Formula field.
- Talks between Jack Doohan and Kondo ended without agreement, with reporting indicating the team expected him to bring budget to secure the drive.
- Doohan’s rookie outing at Suzuka in December featured three crashes at Degner 2 that curtailed running and left him well behind Browning on the timesheets.
- The Australian had been widely tipped for the seat after testing with Kondo, shortly after parting ways with Alpine in mid-January following six F1 starts across 2024–2025.
- Coverage suggested the mooted move was linked to a broader Toyota arrangement that might have included Haas reserve duties, but no such role has been confirmed as Doohan’s near-term prospects remain unclear.