Doohan eager to prove Alpine’s potential in Japan

Forced to miss the first practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix, Jack Doohan insists his FP1 absence is for a “good reason which should benefit us all” after gaining more confidence in Shanghai.

Reminiscing on his experience at the Suzuka International Circuit, Doohan said his memory of the iconic track is “a bit blurry” as his last outing took place six years ago in the Asian F3 series — a weekend that saw the Australian celebrating on the top step on more than one occasion. 

“It’s been a place that I’ve always really, really enjoyed,” Doohan said.

“[It’s] one of my favourite circuits on the calendar; Here, Spa [Francorchamps], places that are still old school — obviously, Spa now has a bit more bitumen run-off in places, where here’s still sort of old school and authentic.”  

The past may not matter for the Australian — or the entire grid — when they line up for practice on Friday on a newly resurfaced track.

The field will be testing the tarmac stretching from the exit of the final corner to the end of the opening sector for the very first time since its complete resurfacing, a factor that only compounds Doohan’s FP1 absence this weekend. 

“Still having two [practice sessions] here, I think it’ll be good,” the Alpine driver said. 

“Just more opportunity [compared to China] to show that we can do great things and I don’t honestly think [missing one session] will hurt us, the focus of why I’ve been sat out are for a good reason which should benefit us all.”

The new surface presents a similar risk of high tyre degradation as seen in China, creating both opportunities and challenges across the pit lane.

For Doohan, the final result of his third-ever Grand Prix wasn’t too impressive, however, on the metrics the Australian and his team are opting to value, the Chinese Grand Prix revealed some positive signs regarding his early progress. 

“One paper is one thing from China — especially with what is focused on, you know, penalty points, whatever you want to say on articles for some good reading,” he said.

“But underneath all of that, pace was strong on one lap and actually race pace, you know, race pace was very, very similar until I was holding up/fighting [Isack] Hadjar for the remaining 15 laps.

“But over that 46-lap hard stint, I think even with defending for my life, you know, it was less than seven-hundredths, on average, difference between myself and Pierre [Gasly]. 

“It’s seven-hundredths slower, yes — which is probably what you’ll focus on — but yeah, you know, a lot of positives to take forward.”

With Abu Dhabi and China now allowing the 22-year-old to compare his progression, Doohan admitted that his performance in the 2024 season finale was “weak” due to the excessive pressure he felt on debut. 

“I was a lot more nervous, you know, not feeling, to be honest, at all comfortable at that point, having to look down for my button changes, sort of stressing quite a bit more.

“And then, already in Oz, a place where I was supposed to feel a lot more pressure — I didn’t, to be honest, at all.”

“What’s important is the team’s opinion; engineers and everyone have been very happy — especially, you know, the race in China was strong.

“The penalty, for sure, was a shame but the guys were very happy with the defending and with the race pace in general.

“So at the end of the day, we just need to string a weekend together, me and Pierre, and try to get some points — that’s the most important thing at the moment.

“But I’m, you know, definitely feeling better — better than I was in testing, in Oz and then it’s only been growing.”

But while Doohan says he’s been growing as a driver, his expectations of the car have plateaued.

Alpine has not armed itself with “anything different” heading into Round 3 of the championship, waiting until tomorrow’s running to discover how the A525 will “shape up” in Japan.

Doohan’s first session in the car, FP2, will take place at 17:00 AEDT on Friday after the opening hour of practice at 13:30 AEDT.

Image: BWT Alpine F1 Team

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