Australian driver Jack Doohan experienced a significant crash during practice for the Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit, leading to a prolonged red flag. The incident occurred when Doohan lost control of his Alpine, reaching speeds of approximately 300 km/h through the demanding turn one, resulting in a severe collision with the tyre wall after skimming through the sand trap.
Sky Sports commentator David Croft noted the extensive damage to Doohan’s car, highlighting that this accident was an unfortunate setback for the driver. Shortly after the crash, Doohan, appearing breathless, communicated via team radio that he was unharmed but sought clarification on what had transpired.
Former racing drivers Anthony Davidson and Jacques Villeneuve weighed in on the incident, suggesting that Doohan likely experienced a sudden loss of rear downforce, possibly due to the car bottoming out. Davidson remarked that the incident seemed abrupt and unsettling for Doohan, indicating he had been a mere “passenger” once control was lost. Villeneuve concurred, emphasizing that such a loss of downforce is unusual at such speeds unless something is amiss with the vehicle.
This accident is particularly detrimental for Doohan, as he faces the possibility of losing his race seat to Argentine driver Franco Colapinto in the near future. Additionally, he missed crucial track time, having previously sat out the first practice session, where the car was driven by reserve driver Ryō Hirakawa. Doohan’s last outing at Suzuka was in the Asian Formula 3 series, making this session critical for gaining experience on the circuit.
The crash necessitated extensive repairs to the barriers, leading to further interruptions in the practice session. After the initial red flag, cars briefly returned to the course before another pause, this time due to Fernando Alonso getting stuck in a gravel trap. The session was marred by multiple stoppages, including efforts from marshals to address grass fires ignited by the dry conditions and the sparks generated from the cars.
Despite the misfortune that befell Doohan, fellow Australian driver Oscar Piastri emerged from the session positively, clocking the fastest lap ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris. With qualifying scheduled for Saturday afternoon, the excitement continues to build for the upcoming race on Sunday at 3 pm, while rain is anticipated to influence the weekend’s events at Suzuka.