Jack Doohan F1 pressure ramps up after huge crash at…read more
Alpine Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan found himself under intense scrutiny after causing a red flag during the second practice session at the Japanese Grand Prix on Friday, following a dramatic crash. The 22-year-old Australian’s performance at Suzuka has become a topic of discussion, especially with multiple reserve drivers waiting in the wings, including 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Ryo Hirakawa. Hirakawa had already replaced Doohan during FP1, finishing in 12th place after a solid performance, which further intensified the pressure on the young driver.
The incident unfolded early in the second practice session as Doohan approached Turn 1. As he entered the corner, it seemed he may have dipped a wheel into the grass, which led to him losing control of the car at high speed. This caused him to crash heavily into the barriers, resulting in two of his wheels being ripped off. The damage was significant, prompting an immediate red flag to halt the session while the track was cleared.
Despite the severity of the crash, Doohan quickly communicated over the team radio that he was unharmed, though he sounded winded and asked, “What happened?” A closer inspection of the incident suggested that the crash might have been caused by a mechanical issue, possibly due to Doohan’s car bottoming out on the circuit. Sky F1’s Anthony Davidson speculated that the car could have lost grip, which led to the accident. Commentator David Croft, however, did not believe driver error was to blame. He remarked, “I don’t know about you Ant, but I’m not seeing driver error.”
The crash resulted in a delay to the session as marshals worked to clear the wreckage and repair the barriers. With just under 30 minutes remaining, the session resumed, giving teams limited time to complete their preparations for qualifying. Meanwhile, Doohan headed to the medical center for a precautionary check-up, but Alpine’s mechanics were left with the challenging task of repairing the damaged A525 car.
Doohan’s crash comes at a difficult time in his F1 career. The young driver is under pressure to deliver solid results, especially given the competition for his seat. With the presence of capable reserve drivers, including Hirakawa, who has already demonstrated his skills in Suzuka, Doohan’s future at Alpine is being closely watched. His performance in the coming races will be crucial in determining whether he can retain his position, as the team looks for improved results during a challengin
g season.
