The first of four red flags shown during today’s FP2 session in Suzuka came just eight minutes in. The international TV feed waited a few seconds before showing the run-off area on the outside of Turn 1, where Jack Doohan’s car was surrounded by a cloud of dust. When the images became clearer, it was immediately evident that the impact with the barriers had been extremely violent — the left side of the car appeared completely destroyed, with the rear wheel detached and lying nearby.
Once Jack Doohan exited the car, replays were shown, and the onboard footage revealed the cause of the off-track excursion. The pit straight is the only section of the Suzuka circuit where the DRS system can be used. Activation occurs just after the exit of the final corner, while the system is supposed to close right before the direction change leading into Turn 1. Many drivers begin braking shortly before entering the corner, which automatically deactivates the DRS. Those who delay braking for a few more meters must manually trigger the DRS deactivation.
That’s the command Jack Doohan failed to use, approaching the corner without starting to brake. The downforce normally provided by the closed wing was missing, and as a result, the Australian driver lost control of the car and slammed violently into the six rows of tire barriers at the edge of the run-off area.
Jack was then taken to the medical center for the mandatory checks that are triggered when a driver suffers an impact exceeding 50G. He was discharged about twenty minutes later, to the great relief of his father Mick and the team staff.
Once Doohan’s condition was confirmed to be fine, Alpine began assessing the damage in the garage. It was determined that a new car would need to be assembled. The mechanics are already working on the spare chassis and are likely facing a long night, which could result in breaching the curfew.
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