NEW DELHI: Jack Doohan suffered a high-speed crash during FP2 at the Japanese GP. His car lost control at Turn 1 and slammed into the barriers. The impact was severe, forcing race officials to wave the red flag. Fortunately, Doohan managed to exit the car on his own. He walked to the medical car but appeared shaken.
A sizeable crash for Jack Doohan in FP2 😱
He is OK and out of the car#F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/uCDCUcGKcy
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 4, 2025
Doohan’s Car in Ruins
During qualifying, Doohan crashed again at the same turn. This time, the damage was more severe. His Alpine car lost a tire upon impact. The crash added to his struggles this season.
Commentator David Croft reacted instantly.
“He’s gone in very hard. That’s a big repair job. Just what he didn’t need.”
F1 analyst Anthony Davidson also assessed the situation.
“He’s okay, but you could see how slowly he got out. That crash shook him up.”
As Doohan tried to understand what happened, he asked his team over the radio:
“What happened?”
His team responded calmly:
“We’re checking everything.”
No Driver Error Suspected
Analysts and commentators debated the possible cause of the crash. Some speculated that Doohan’s Drag Reduction System (DRS) might have been open. Others suggested a technical issue.
A huge impact for Jack Doohan at Turn 1 😲
Doohan is OK and out of the car #F1 #JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/E0eyamwiVj
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 4, 2025
Anthony Davidson examined the replay.
“I think the car might have bottomed out.”
Croft disagreed slightly.
“I don’t see driver error on this one.”
Davidson then concluded:
“It looked like he was just a passenger there.”
Many experts believe it was purely a mechanical issue rather than a mistake by Doohan.
A Tough Season for Doohan
This incident adds to Doohan’s rough season. He previously crashed at the Australian GP. In China, he only managed a 15th-place finish. These setbacks are making his position at Alpine uncertain.
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With reserve driver Franco Colapinto waiting for a chance, Doohan is under pressure. He needs to prove himself in the coming races to secure his seat.
Chaos in Qualifying
Doohan’s crash was not the only drama in qualifying. Fernando Alonso also went off-track. Meanwhile, sparks from a Sauber car ignited a grass fire. These incidents led to multiple red flags, delaying the session.
Despite the chaos, no serious injuries were reported. However, Doohan’s crash serves as a reminder of the dangers of high-speed racing.
Formula 1’s strict safety protocols played a crucial role in preventing injuries. The swift response of the medical team ensured Doohan was safe.
The Japanese GP will continue, but Doohan’s crash remains a major talking point. Fans and analysts will closely watch his performance in the upcoming races.
