Jack Doohan Faces Penalties After Tumultuous Sprint Race

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Jack Doohan faced a challenging and eventful outing during the Sprint ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of China on March 22, 2025. The Australian driver, racing for Alpine F1, initially showed promise by leading the pack in the sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit. However, the day took a turn when Doohan collided with Gabriel Bortoleto of Sauber, leading to a series of penalties that would shadow his performance going into the main event.

During the Sprint, Doohan drove his (7) Alpine F1 A525 Renault, while his teammate, Pierre Gasly, drove the (10) Alpine. The racetrack had been recently resurfaced, thereby providing more grip, but this enhancement also led to high tire degradation, complicating the drivers' strategies.

"It has been quite a tough day and we will regroup as a team and focus on having a more positive one tomorrow," Doohan said after the Sprint, reflecting on the difficult conditions and lessons learned regarding tire management.

As the Sprint concluded, Doohan crossed the finish line in a disappointing 20th place after his notable late tangle with Bortoleto. The incident occurred when Doohan attempted an overtake at the penultimate corner of the circuit. In an effort to gain positions at a critical juncture, he locked his wheels and made contact with Bortoleto, causing both him and the Sauber driver to spin. The penalties were swift—Doohan not only received a 10-second post-race penalty but also had two penalty points added to his super license for the collision.

The officials, led by FIA race steward Niels Shetty, determined that Doohan’s maneuver was unsafe, emphasizing the importance of executing overtaking maneuvers within the regulations. "We therefore impose the standard 10-second penalty and two penalty points on him," the FIA stated. This situation marked an unfortunate debut for Doohan in terms of penalties within Formula 1 racing, something that undoubtedly added pressure as he prepared for the upcoming Grand Prix.

Looking ahead to the main race on March 23, 2025, Doohan found himself lined up in 18th place, just behind Gasly. The race was set to start at 18:00 AEDT. Despite the challenges faced, Doohan remained optimistic about improving his performance in the Grand Prix. He articulated the significance of finding free air during the race, as the congested field in the sprint made it challenging for him to manage his tires effectively.

"The most part of it, to be honest, is going to be trying to find free air," he noted. This strategy is particularly crucial given the high tire degradation encountered during the Sprint. With long, loaded corners at the newly resurfaced Shanghai circuit, tire management would be a pivotal aspect of the race strategy for the drivers, especially those starting from the mid to back of the grid.

As the race day approached, the stakes rose for Doohan, who had to contemplate not only his driving tactics but also how to effectively handle the consequences of his previous actions. As he reflected on the mistakes made, there was a clear determination to turn the lessons learned into a more favorable outcome. The outlook for the Alpine team in the Grand Prix was not dismal, but rather shaped by the willingness to adapt and improve based on the previous mistakes—an essential trait in a sport as competitive as Formula One.

Sunday's race at the Shanghai International Circuit promises to be a test of skill and strategy for Doohan, as he aims to overcome the challenges faced during the Sprint and prove his potential on the world stage. The excitement that surrounds the Grand Prix is palpable, and fans remain hopeful that the promising moments from the Sprint can translate into a meaningful performance for Doohan and the Alpine team in the main event.