Doohan admits racing in pain after Suzuka high-speed crash

Alpine’s Jack Doohan has confirmed that he was in considerable pain throughout last weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, following his massive crash during FP2 at Suzuka.

Despite the physical toll, the Australian rookie powered through the weekend, finishing 15th in only his third Formula 1 race – though not without significant discomfort and a bruising reminder of the sport’s unforgiving nature.

Doohan’s troubles began when he lost control at Turn 1 during Friday’s second practice, hitting the wall at approximately 160mph.

The crash, caused by a failure to close the DRS flap on his car, resulted in significant damage to his Alpine A525, with repair costs estimated at £1.3 million.

Battered and Bruised

The impact left Doohan visibly shaken, and footage from Sunday’s race captured in parc fermé showed the 22-year-old struggling to exit his car after the 53-lap event.

Haas driver Esteban Ocon and nearby marshals assisted him, with Doohan seen clutching his left arm as he walked away, sparking concern among fans about his health.

“I think yeah, I was sore a little bit on Friday, and certainly Saturday was a bit worse and Sunday a little bit worse again,” he told the media in Bahrain on Thursday.

“So I'd say that there was a pain from the start of the race, not necessarily towards the end, but it helps with the adrenaline a little bit for sure.”

Overcoming Physical Strain

Despite the ordeal, Doohan dismissed speculation about his fitness to race, clarifying that his condition was manageable thanks to rest and recovery.

“I think you know it's natural with the shunt and just the positioning. So, a couple of days off, Monday, Tuesday, and obviously yesterday has been very much needed,” he explained.

Doohan’s determination paid off as he battled from 19th on the grid to finish 15th, just two places behind teammate Pierre Gasly.

The result was a testament to his grit, especially considering his limited track time at Suzuka after giving up FP1 to reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa.

Learning From a Costly Mistake

Doohan’s crash was caused by a misjudgment, his failure to close manually his car’s DRS as he entered Turn 1 at full speed.

Instead of lifting off the accelerator, he dabbed the brake pedal, causing a loss of rear downforce that sent the car spinning into the barriers.

• Read also: Colapinto back in the saddle with Alpine at Monza TPC test

Alpine team principal Ollie Oakes described the costlymishap as a learning opportunity.

“It was a misjudgement of not closing the DRS into Turn 1. It is something to learn from and I know Jack and the team will be ready for tomorrow,” said the Briton.

The incident triggered a red flag during an already disrupted FP2 session, compounding a challenging weekend for the team.

Despite the setback, Doohan’s ability to return for qualifying and the race underscored his commitment to his rookie season, even as Alpine grapples with broader performance struggles in 2025.

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