Formula 1: Doohan detailed how his accident happened at the Australian GP

The Australian driver Jack Doohan, who this year made his debut as a starter for Alpine in the worst possible way, explained the error that led to the accident that left him out of competition in the first lap of the Australian Grand Prix. In a day marked by challenging weather conditions, the young racer not only had to deal with the pressure of competing in his home country but also with a track that tested several participants.

Doohan lost control of his car coming out of turn 4 of the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, which caused a collision that ended his participation. In statements collected by the specialized portal Motorsport, the 22-year-old driver described precisely how the incident occurred. "Yes, I think next time I'll do exactly what I was doing on the laps to the grid, which was shifting gears before turn 3. So I was in third gear, you know, while I was accelerating and with the throttle fully open, at 80%. I shifted to 4th and lost control during the gear change. So I think we'll also match the other side of the garage in the harshness of our shifts," he commented.

Delving into the technical aspects, Doohan detailed how the timing of the gear change was crucial in the outcome of the accident. "I straightened the wheel, which should be good, but that also meant I went to the maximum harshness on the upshift, which made me spin. There are no excuses, but I'll be even more cautious and make sure to upshift before the corner."

The driver, who also has to live with the pressure of having the Argentine Franco Colapinto as a reserve, did not avoid self-criticism.  He acknowledged his mistakes and assured that he will take the necessary precautions to avoid similar situations in the future. "At the end of the day, I messed up. I have control, but surely some things haven't helped me in the best way. But you know, live and learn. I'll definitely be gentler with the throttle, with a lower percentage, and shift a bit earlier," he reflected.

Doohan emphasized that his accident was not due to mechanical failures, but exclusively to a driving error. "Just to be clear, you know, there was nothing wrong with the car at all. You know, I made a mistake myself and dealt with it," he stated.

The Australian Grand Prix proved relentless for both rookies and experienced drivers, affecting a total of 6. The difficult track conditions affected several competitors, and Doohan was not the only one to be disadvantaged. Notable drivers like Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso also had to abandon the race.

Next stop: Shanghai

With an eye on the next Chinese Grand Prix, which will be held next weekend in Shanghai, the Australian expressed confidence in his team despite the challenging start to the season. After the race in Melbourne, he emphasized that the goal will be to regain lost ground. "We're going to regroup, keep our heads high. We've had a strong package next weekend, very strong yesterday afternoon, so we have to stay strong and recover next weekend," he stated.

The Shanghai circuit will be a new challenge for the drivers. With its 16 corners and two long straights, it demands great technical precision. Additionally, it will host the first sprint of the season, a short race that will award additional points to the top eight finishers. Regarding the championship, the British Lando Norris arrives as the leader after his victory in Melbourne, pushing Max Verstappen to second place.