Jack Doohan will make his sportscar racing debut with Nielsen Racing during the opening round of the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season at Barcelona.
The Australian driver will share the #24 Oreca 07-Gibson with Roy Nissany and fellow endurance racing newcomer Ed Pearson. Nielsen’s announcement completes the team’s two-car, full-season ELMS line-up before the 4 Hours of Barcelona in April.
Doohan will combine his first LMP2 campaign with his duties as TGR Haas F1 Team Reserve Driver. Consequently, the programme introduces a new discipline to his career while allowing him to continue working within Formula 1.
Doohan embraces new endurance racing challenge
Doohan arrives at Nielsen following a decade-long single-seater career that took him through the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 Championships before he reached Formula 1.
However, the ELMS will present several unfamiliar challenges. In addition to adapting to the Oreca 07, Doohan must learn how to manage multi-class traffic, longer race stints, driver changes and the strategic demands of four-hour endurance contests.
Nevertheless, he believes Nielsen’s experience and the balance within the #24 line-up will help him make a competitive start.
“I’m really excited to be back racing in 2026 and to be joining Nielsen Racing for my first season in LMP2. It’s a new challenge with a lot to learn, but I’m confident we’ll get up to speed quickly with such a strong team around me. With Roy Nissany and Ed Pearson, we have a great mix of experience and hunger, and I’m looking forward to building strong chemistry and pushing for results. The Oreca 07 is a fantastic car and a very different challenge, and I can’t wait to get started in the European Le Mans Series.”
Therefore, Doohan will approach his debut season with clear competitive ambitions rather than treating the campaign solely as a learning exercise.
Formula 1 experience strengthens Nielsen’s line-up
Doohan entered Formula 1 in 2024 before contesting five Grands Prix during the 2025 season. He will remain involved in the championship during 2026 through his reserve role with Haas.
Before reaching Formula 1, he built an extensive junior career and finished inside the top three in both the FIA Formula 3 and Formula 2 Championships. As a result, he brings substantial experience of high-downforce machinery, technical development and competitive racing to Nielsen’s LMP2 programme.
Even so, the Oreca will require a different approach. Whereas single-seater racing places complete responsibility on one driver, endurance competition demands close cooperation between teammates who must share car set-up preferences and deliver consistent performances across several stints.
Accordingly, Doohan must combine his outright speed with effective communication and adaptability as the #24 crew develops throughout the season.
Doohan joins Nissany and Pearson in #24 Oreca
Nissany will provide valuable experience within Nielsen’s new driver combination, while Pearson will make the same transition from single-seaters into endurance racing.
Pearson previously competed for Nielsen in the 2025 Euroformula Open Championship, where he finished fifth overall and won races at Portimão and Barcelona. Therefore, he already possesses a strong relationship with the team despite entering his first ELMS campaign.
Doohan and Pearson will face similar adaptation processes, although both drivers bring extensive single-seater experience to the programme. Meanwhile, Nissany can offer an experienced reference as the crew builds its working relationship.
Consequently, Nielsen has created a line-up that blends experience with two ambitious newcomers eager to establish themselves in LMP2.
Barcelona launches Doohan’s sportscar career
The 4 Hours of Barcelona will provide Doohan with his first competitive appearance in both the ELMS and sportscar racing.
The opening round will immediately test his ability to adapt to the Oreca, manage traffic and maintain consistent pace throughout a longer stint. Furthermore, Nielsen will need to optimise its driver changes and strategy while helping its new crew establish an effective rhythm.
Nevertheless, Doohan’s experience of competing under pressure at the highest levels of single-seater racing should support his transition. His technical understanding and previous experience in powerful, high-downforce cars should also help him adapt to the LMP2 machine.
Barcelona will therefore mark the beginning of a significant new chapter as Doohan expands his career beyond Formula 1 and enters one of Europe’s most competitive endurance racing categories.
Nielsen completes two-car ELMS programme
Doohan’s arrival finalises Nielsen Racing’s full-season driver roster for 2026.
Alongside the #24 LMP2 entry, the team will field Alex Quinn, James Allen and Kriton Lentoudis in the #27 LMP2 Pro/Am Oreca. That crew brings considerable continuity after Quinn and Lentoudis finished as championship runners-up in both 2024 and 2025, while Allen returns following a strong previous campaign with Nielsen.
The two entries consequently give Nielsen different routes to success. The #27 will launch another Pro/Am title challenge with an established combination, while the #24 will bring together Nissany, Doohan and Pearson in the overall LMP2 category.
With its complete line-up now confirmed, Nielsen will enter Barcelona aiming to translate the potential of both crews into a strong start to the 2026 ELMS season.
