Boss Admits Growing ‘Unrest’ Around Doohan Cockpit

F1 Grand Prix Of Japan Final Practice
SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 05: Jack Doohan of Australia driving the (7) Alpine F1 A525 Renault on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on April 05, 2025 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
F1 Grand Prix Of Japan Final Practice
SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 05: Jack Doohan of Australia driving the (7) Alpine F1 A525 Renault on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on April 05, 2025 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

The weight on Jack Doohan’s shoulders turned into real-world pain at Suzuka with a 300kph crash.

Auto Motor und Sport reports that the rookie Australian, already clinging to his race seat at Alpine, tried to replicate a trick he tried in the simulator by taking the flat-out first corner with DRS wide open.

After he slammed into the wall, having already been replaced in initial practice by reserve Ryo Hirakawa, team boss Oliver Oakes called Doohan’s move a “misjudgement”.

Some estimated the damage at $1.5 million, and early whispers of a hand or arm injury triggered rumours that Franco Colapinto could be in Doohan’s car sooner rather than later.

However, reserve driver Colapinto is not in Japan, despite the fact that he is clearly team advisor Flavio Briatore’s preferred driver for the cockpit next to Pierre Gasly.

“We know there’s a bit of unrest around Jack’s position,” Oakes told Sky Deutschland, “but he’s working well. So far it’s been ok.

“He’s staying calm and focusing on himself. There are a lot of rumours about Franco, but at the moment we’re happy.”

However, that’s not a job guarantee. “You always have to decide what’s best for the team,” Oakes continued. “Every driver in Formula 1 has to perform. They know that.”

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher thinks Doohan’s crash was a clear sign of the 22-year-old’s growing desperation.

“You can tell that the pressure is on and that he really wants to show that he deserves that cockpit,” he said. “He wants to show that he’s fast and can make the difference. So he goes straight beyond the limit like that.”

Former Racing Bulls boss Franz Tost agreed, telling ORF: “You can’t go into that corner that fast. But you don’t see any deceleration at all.

“I’m completely surprised. If it was a driving error, then it was a very serious one, I have to say.”

Schumacher is expecting a driver change sooner rather than later.

“Flavio hopes and believes that Colapinto will do a better job,” said the German, “which would, of course, also lead to the team being pushed further forward.”

As for Colapinto, who is working in the simulator at Enstone, he told Clarin: “My French isn’t perfect. I’d love to learn, but right now my priority is staying in top shape so I can get back in a seat.”

From F1 news to tech, history to opinions, F1 Chronicle has a free Substack. To deliver the stories you want straight to your inbox, click here.

New to Formula 1? Check out our Glossary of F1 Terms, and our Beginners Guide to Formula 1 to fast-track your F1 knowledge.

Comments

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More in News

Motor Racing Formula One Testing Day One Sakhir, Bahrain

Alexander Albon Jetted Into Thai Earthquake For F1 Talks

Alexander Albon jetted into his native country last week expecting ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Japan Practice

McLaren Off To A Fast Start At Suzuka

Oscar Piastri set the fastest time on the first day ...
F1 Grand Prix Of Japan Practice

Newey Has ‘No Big Ideas’ Yet – Alonso

Adrian Newey has no "big ideas" about how to add ...
250313 Sfhp F1 R01 Australia Ca 0103189 51a1500b C521 4a0d 8296 B272ee78f11a

Vasseur Explains Absence Of New Floor At Suzuka

Frederic Vasseur has explained why a new floor for Ferrari's ...
Large 2025 Japanese Grand Prix Friday

Bortoleto Confronted Marko Over ‘B-grade’ Jibe

Formula 1 rookie Gabriel Bortoleto confronted Dr Helmut Marko after ...

Trending on F1 Chronicle