Doohan was 'caught out': 'Forgot to close DRS'

16:00, 04 Apr

byNorberto Mujica

F1 driver, Jack Doohan suffered a heavy crash going into turn 1 early in FP2 at Suzuka, a 'misjudgement' on his part, says Alpine team principal, Oliver Oakes.

Whereas Japanese reserve driver, Ryo Hirakawa, appearing to be settling in quite comfortably in the A525, completing a flawless FP1 session, things did not go so smoothly for one of Alpine's current main drivers, Australian Jack Doohan as he found a premature and rather violent end to his session, crashing heavily into the barriers outside of Turn 1.

“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 in a press release by Alpine.

It was a misjudgement of not closing the DRS into Turn 1

- OIiver Oakes on Jack Doohan's FP2 crash

The reason for the crash? A mistake on Doohan's part. "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."

On the Australian's side of the garage they've got a long work to do to get the car ready for FP3. "His crew will work hard to have the car prepared after the damage."

Forgetting to close the DRS, 'caught me by surprise'

The Australian, after acknowledging and being grateful to his mechanics for the repair work they have ahead of them, is only focusing on the upcoming sessions.

"It was a heavy one, something that caught me by surprise, and I will learn from it. I know the team has a lot of work ahead to repair the car going into tomorrow, so thanks in advance to them for their efforts. My focus is on tomorrow where we will have Free Practice 3 to get ready for Qualifying.”