Jack Doohan’s crash this morning could have serious repercussions. Although the Australian walked away uninjured, his participation in the remainder of the weekend is now in serious doubt for the rest of the weekend
The incident, which occurred during the second free practice session, could leave a lasting mark on Doohan’s Formula 1 career. The Alpine driver lost control heading into Turn 1 and slammed violently into the barriers, completely destroying his car. A few moments ago, Alpine confirmed on platform X that Jack is doing well – and that, above all, is what matters most. But now it’s time to draw some early conclusions.
The car was left completely wrecked, with a chassis that will need to be rebuilt from scratch — a serious blow both technically and financially. The mistake, which we’ve analyzed in detail [here], will not only have major implications for Alpine’s budget cap, but could also weigh heavily on Doohan’s future. True, this is only the third race of the season, but with Flavio Briatore reportedly granting Jack “five races” to prove his worth, the pressure is already mounting. The mandate was clear: no mistakes.
Doohan’s fault, or a misstep by Alpine?
After failing to finish in Melbourne, where he crashed out, Doohan is under intense pressure to prove that Alpine’s decision to give him a seat was a wise investment, not a regret.
With Franco Colapinto waiting in the wings, it’s also important to acknowledge Alpine’s questionable decision earlier today (or last night, depending on your timezone): choosing to give the FP1 session not to an experienced driver like Pierre Gasly, but instead to young Japanese rookie Rio Hyrakawa.
Unlike his French teammate, Doohan had no prior experience of Formula 1 at Suzuka — one of the most complex and unforgiving tracks on the calendar. Even seasoned veterans like Fernando Alonso have faltered there, so it’s no surprise that mistakes happen — all the more so when driving a car as uncompetitive as the current Alpine. We’ll have to wait and see how the situation evolves, but hopefully, starting tomorrow, Doohan will be given a fair opportunity to prove himself.
Photos: BWT Alpine Formula One Team
