Doohan puts injury rumours to rest ahead of Bahrain GP battle

Jack Doohan has dismissed speculation about potential injuries following his high-speed crash during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, confirming he's ready to tackle the challenges of the Bahrain circuit despite a difficult start to his Formula 1® rookie season.

The Australian Alpine driver faced intense scrutiny after footage emerged showing him struggling to exit his car following the Japanese Grand Prix, with marshals and Esteban Ocon having to assist him. Viewers noticed Doohan clutching his left arm and walking away in visible pain, prompting questions about his fitness for upcoming races.

During the Bahrain Grand Prix press conference, Doohan addressed these concerns directly, explaining the progression of his discomfort throughout the Japanese race weekend. "I was sore a little bit on Friday, and certainly Saturday was a bit worse and Sunday a little bit worse again," he said. "There was pain from the start of the race, not necessarily towards the end, but it helps with the adrenaline a little bit for sure."

The rookie driver attributed his discomfort to the natural aftermath of his significant crash during FP2 in Japan. "I think it's natural with the shunt and just the positioning," Doohan explained, adding that the days off between races had been "very much needed" for his recovery.

The incident that sparked these injury concerns occurred when Doohan crashed during the second practice session at Suzuka, hitting a wall at Turn 1 at approximately 160mph. The high-speed impact resulted from a technical error where his DRS flap remained open as he entered the corner. With reduced downforce at the rear of his Alpine, the car suddenly lost grip and spun out of control into the barriers.

Alpine team principal Ollie Oakes later confirmed the cause of the crash, stating: "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." The incident highlighted the steep learning curve facing rookie drivers in Formula 1®, where split-second decisions can have dramatic consequences.

The crash not only raised questions about Doohan's physical condition but also created additional challenges for his Japanese Grand Prix weekend. Having already missed FP1 after giving up his seat to Ryo Hirakawa, the Australian was left with minimal track time at the notoriously difficult Suzuka circuit.

Despite these setbacks, Doohan showed remarkable resilience during the race. Starting from 19th position on the grid after struggling in qualifying, he fought his way through the field to finish 15th, just two places behind his more experienced teammate Pierre Gasly.

The journey from the crash to race completion was particularly challenging for Doohan. Technical analysis revealed that the incident occurred because he failed to manually close the DRS as required, with team officials noting he needed to momentarily dab the brake pedal instead of simply removing his foot from the accelerator.

As speculation mounted about potential injuries and whether reserve driver Franco Colapinto might be called up to replace him, Doohan's confirmation of his fitness for Bahrain puts these rumours firmly to rest. His ability to overcome the physical and mental challenges of such a significant crash demonstrates the determination that has brought him to Formula 1®'s elite competition.

The Bahrain Grand Prix represents an opportunity for Doohan to build on the experience gained at Suzuka and continue his development as an F1® driver. With the injury concerns addressed and a few days of recovery behind him, the Australian will be looking to improve on his 15th place finish and narrow the gap to teammate Gasly.

"A couple of days off, Monday, Tuesday, and obviously yesterday has been very much needed," Doohan acknowledged, indicating he's used the time between races effectively to recover and prepare for the challenges ahead in Bahrain.