A dramatic high-speed crash by Alpine rookie Jack Doohan during Free Practice 2 (FP2) at the Japanese Grand Prix brought out the red flags and left the team facing a race against time to repair his heavily damaged car ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session. The incident, which occurred early in the session at the Suzuka Circuit’s notorious Turn 1, has been attributed to a critical driver error, with Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes revealing the cause after a thorough post-session analysis.
Doohan, who had handed his Alpine A525 to reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the morning’s FP1 session, was on only his second push lap of the day when disaster struck. Approaching the flat-out Turn 1 at an estimated 185mph (300kph), the Australian lost control of the car, spinning violently into the gravel trap before slamming into the tyre barriers. The impact tore apart the chassis, suspension, and rear wing, leaving the car in tatters and triggering a 22-minute stoppage—one of four red flags in a chaotic FP2 session.
Speaking in Alpine’s post-session press release, Oakes confirmed that the crash stemmed from Doohan’s failure to manually close the Drag Reduction System (DRS) on his rear wing. “We are all relieved to see Jack walk away from his incident in Free Practice 2 and glad to see he is OK after his precautionary checks,” Oakes said. “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.”
Unlike most circuits where DRS automatically shuts off when a driver brakes, Suzuka’s Turn 1—a sweeping, high-speed right-hander taken nearly flat-out in qualifying trim—requires drivers to manually deactivate the system. Failing to do so reduces downforce at a critical moment, a mistake that proved costly for the 22-year-old rookie. Doohan, shaken but unharmed, was assessed at the circuit’s medical centre and cleared of any serious injuries, including concussion.
The crash capped a challenging start to Doohan’s weekend. Having missed FP1 to accommodate Hirakawa’s mandatory young driver session, he entered FP2 with limited track time, completing just four laps before the incident. The Australian, who is under pressure to prove himself in his debut full-time Formula 1 season, admitted the error caught him off guard. “First of all, I am OK after the incident,” Doohan said. “It’s a bit different to the simulator, more than I expected. I just have to build up confidence more.”
Now, the focus shifts to Alpine’s mechanics, who face a monumental overnight effort to repair the wrecked A525. Oakes remained cautiously optimistic about their chances. “His crew will work hard to have the car prepared after the damage,” he noted. “My focus is on tomorrow where we will have Free Practice 3 to get ready for Qualifying.” The team has confirmed they will repair Doohan’s crashed chassis rather than resorting to a spare tub, a decision that underscores the urgency and complexity of the task ahead.
The incident adds to a difficult rookie campaign for Doohan, son of five-time motorcycling world champion Mick Doohan. After crashing out of his debut race in Australia and finishing 13th in China, the Gold Coast native is fighting to secure his long-term future with Alpine amid speculation over his seat. Team advisor Flavio Briatore, known for his no-nonsense approach, will likely be watching closely as Doohan aims to rebound from this setback.
Meanwhile, FP2 proved a disrupted affair beyond Doohan’s crash, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri topping the timesheets ahead of teammate Lando Norris. The session was halted twice more due to grass fires sparked by cars bottoming out—a recurring issue at Suzuka—further limiting running time. For Doohan, Saturday’s FP3 offers a critical opportunity to regain his footing before the all-important qualifying session, provided his crew can work their magic overnight.