It was the kind of soggy day at Albert Park where expectations can sink faster than the rain-soaked asphalt. Jack Doohan, the 22-year-old rookie from Gold Coast, had high hopes for his first-ever home race at the Australian Grand Prix. Despite buzzing with anticipation, he crashed out on the very first lap, making it his and Alpine’s worst opening to the Formula 1 season.
The disaster struck just after 3 PM on March 16, 2025, as Doohan lined up 15th on the grid. The start was initially aborted due to fellow rookie Isack Hadjar crashing his Racing Bulls car during the formation lap, causing chaos and delaying the race by 15 minutes.
When the lights finally turned green for the second time, Doohan had a clean start but faced the challenges of cold tires and poor traction on the slippery surface. He lost control of his Alpine car as he shifted gears heading toward turn six, spinning dramatically before crashing directly against the barriers. The impact obliterated his car, and the disheartened rookie left the circuit, acknowledging, "I didn’t really understand what happened, to be honest, until I got back." The pressure was palpable, and Doohan was reminded of the weight of expectations resting on his young shoulders.
Public sentiment reflected his disappointment as the home crowd cheered him on, only to be met with despair when he lost control. Watching from the Alpine garage, his father, MotoGP legend Mick Doohan, shook his head as he witnessed the mishap, sharing the disappointment with fans eager for their homegrown hero to deliver. "I’ve got no one else like my dad. He understands this sport deeply," Doohan mentioned, reflecting on the support he felt from his father.
This incident wasn’t without its ripple effects, as even seasoned drivers struggled on the day. Carlos Sainz also crashed at the final corner of the first lap. The weather had wreaked havoc, with Doohan admitting he hadn’t driven Alpine machinery under such wet conditions before this race. But the underperforming debut didn’t deter his spirit. “I made this mistake and I accept it,” Doohan noted, clearly determined to learn from his crash.
Doohan's aspirations for the season are shared by Alpine, as French teammate Pierre Gasly narrowly missed out on scoring points during the race, making it tough to swallow for the team after the home disappointment. Looking toward the future, Doohan emphasized, "I look forward to many more home grands prix and to the rest of the seasons,” indicating he’s not planning to let this setback define his career.
With tensions mounting, particularly as reports revealed Argentine talent Franco Colapinto had joined Alpine as a reserve driver, the pressure on Doohan could only intensify. The team is hoping for early-season performance consistency from both Doohan and Gasly, knowing they could easily place Colapinto on the main roster should either driver falter.
Despite the hurdles, including being off-contract at the end of this season, Doohan's focus remains razor-sharp. "Each and every time I’m in the car, I want to enjoy it. Each time I get to hop back, it’s a privilege," he stated, capturing the essence of his competitive spirit.
Now, with the season moving to Shanghai for the next race on March 21, the opportunity to reset looms. Free practice kicks off at 2:30 PM, and Doohan is determined to regroup quickly after the disappointing outing. “We’ve had a strong package this weekend, very strong yesterday afternoon so we need to keep strong and bounce back next weekend,” he said.
The Australian Grand Prix may have ended prematurely for Doohan, but lessons have been learned amid rain and asphalt struggles. The spotlight shines ever brighter on the up-and-coming driver as he looks forward to his next opportunity to demonstrate his skill on the world stage.