Jack Doohan, the former F1 house‑mate from Alpine, exudes confidence as the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans approaches, calling the weekend an opportunity to show how endurance racing has sharpened his skills.
Pre‑Race Preparation
Doohan reported that the week has been long and physically demanding. He focuses on strict nutrition, sleep, and hydration, often retreating to the team motorhome for brief naps and rest periods. The driver said he has maintained a steady rhythm since last Saturday, proving that comfort and routine are key to surviving the extended schedule.
Adapting to Endurance Racing
The shift from the speed of F2 and a single‑lapped feel in F1 to the steadier rhythm of LMP2 is “completely different.” Doohan finds the driving mantra—smooth inputs, gentle corners, and careful tyre management—at odds with the aggressive downforce‑heavy style of F1. “You can’t throw the car off the track as freely in Hypercar,” he explained, noting how traction control and softer inputs change the way he tackles Sauber‑type kerbs versus GT‑style straights.
Driving Style & Tyres
Unlike an open‑wheel car, the Oreca 07 carries a roof and a body that demands gentle, sustained driving. The former R‑ace engineer said that the experience feels “smooth, but much more aggressive and fast, softer” than the high‑downforce, slick‑operation of F1. He added that the long 13 km lap feels mentally similar to a shorter lap, even though it’s over a circular sequence: “the brain processes it the same.” Doohan is still learning how to spot tyre degradation in real time, but his focus has shifted to “the feeling more than visual indicators,” noting that the first time a driver feels the car’s bump, it can signal loss earlier.
Team Dynamics and Pole Position
Working alongside teammates Ed Pearson and David Heinemeier Hansson has challenged Doohan’s usual personal pride. He stresses the importance of setting up the machinery to keep the other drivers’ lap times in a sweet spot. “I take on most of the management side of the set‑up window so they can push effectively,” he said, saying that small adjustments he makes may translate into a significant advantage for Pearson’s fast stints. The team’s qualifying run placed them third, just a fraction behind the pole, with Doohan calling the stint analysis a “brainiac” exercise in staging the car for best race trim.
The 24‑Hour Challenge
The driver acknowledges that Le Mans demands a different mindset than a 78‑lap Monaco sprint. He plans to maximize rest whenever possible, resisting the temptation to stay awake “to be reactive to every radio wave.” He highlighted the thermal reality of endurance racing: “the LMP2 feels warmer with a roof on top, especially when there’s no traffic for a stretch, which can increase internal pressure.” Doohan is hoping relentless focus on “pit stops, tires and balanced inputs” will allow the Grey‑Pty’s Oreca to close the gap to the front two teams as the race unfolds.
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