F1 rookie Jack Doohan refuses to discuss huge F1 crash in Japan

Shortly after dropping out of qualifying, struggling Aussie rookie Jack Doohan had no interest in discussing his massive F1 crash.

Jack Doohan refused to discuss his massive F1 crash that halted Friday’s practice session ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

The 22-year-old is under huge pressure to retain his seat with the Alpine team, considered the most likely driver to follow dumped Red Bull rookie Liam Lawson and be replaced in the cutthroat F1 world.

Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™, LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during racing. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

After crashing out in the Australian Grand Prix and finishing 15th in China a fortnight ago, Doohan was fortunate to walk away from a massive crash in the second practice session at the Suzuka circuit on Friday.

There has been speculation the Aussie forgot to close his DRS (drag reduction system) prior to the crash.

After failing to progress from the first round of qualifying on Saturday, leaving him 19th for Sunday’s race, Doohan didn’t want to discuss the reasons behind the huge impact.

The aftermath of Jack Doohan’s massive crash on Friday. (Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

“To be honest I’d prefer not to touch on that and just sort of put that in the past and look forward to tomorrow, with no disrespect,” he told Kayo Sports.

“Thank you very much.”

After Doohan’s Alpine machine was all-but written off, the team mechanics worked on the car until 2.30am on Saturday morning in Japan and then returned to the track at 7am to get it ready for qualifying.

Doohan, the son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan, was able to take his place on the grid before finishing second last in the first qualifying session, ahead of only Lance Stroll.

Max Verstappen grabbed a surprise pole position, ahead of McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Asked how he was faring after Friday’s crash, Doohan said: “Pushing through. I don’t want to use any excuses or anything like that.

“But that’s why we train, let’s say, and keep our heads in a good place.

“I think maybe Q2 could’ve been on the cards, I know I had to continue to make big steps on every lap, to be honest I made a small mistake.

“If I didn’t do it I probably would’ve made Q2, if it worked, so I can’t really be too mad or upset about that.

“It’s just the circumstances we’re in.”

Doohan reached 331 km/h just as he tipped his car into the right-handed turn one and his DRS appeared to be wide open before the crash.

Jack Doohan didn’t want to discuss the big incident. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

The DRS boosts acceleration and top speed by opening a flap on the rear wing around certain parts of the track, immediately slashing downforce.

It’s up to the driver to open it when they enter the designated zone and closes automatically when a driver hits the brakes.

But at some circuits the DRS zone doesn’t lead into a big braking zone.

In those cases it’s up to the driver to manually close their rear wing with enough time for the airflow to reattach and load the car with the downforce needed to take the corner.

Suzuka is one of those circuits, with the DRS zone down the front straight leading to a flat-out right-hander.

Jack Doohan gets some advice from dad Mick prior to qualifying. Photo: Fox Sports

On-board replays show Doohan’s thumb reaching for his blue DRS button after turning onto the straight.

The DRS light subsequently illuminates on the top-right corner of his steering wheel.

Prior to Saturday’s opening qualifying session, Mick Doohan was seen having a chat with his son, with Sky Sports commentator Simon Lazenby observing: “There he is having a word with his son. (Saying) ‘C’mon son, you’ve got it, you’ve got it in you’.”

It wasn’t to be as Doohan will start on the last row of the grid for Sunday’s race.

Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 world champion, said Doohan would need some time to recover from Friday’s massive accident.

“You’re talking about confidence,” he said. “Drivers aren’t used to these big crashes anymore.

“You’re talking about the norm in the past, the cars were difficult to drive and there were a lot of accidents and very damaging.

“Now the cars are safer and the drivers get surprised when they have a big one.

“That was a big one. Well cushioned by the tyres, protects the cars. But he knows why he crashed.

“He wasn’t driving too fast, he just forgot to close the DRS so why should there be an issue?”

Sunday’s race gets underway at 3pm AEDT.