Jack Doohan’s SECRET INJURY at the JAPANESE GP!

Watching Jack Doohan struggle to exit his Alpine after the recent race was a tough sight. While the spotlight shone brightly on Max Verstappen for his impressive win at Suzuka, Doohan’s remarkable effort deserves recognition. His crash on Friday was nothing short of catastrophic, hitting the wall with a force of approximately 50 g’s—similar to the force experienced by Verstappen during his infamous crash at Silverstone in 2021. Following the incident, Jack was swiftly taken to the on-site medical center, where he was cleared to leave.

Fast forward two days, and despite being bruised from head to toe, he bravely hopped back into the car for a 90-minute workout on one of the most challenging tracks in the world. Starting in 19th place, he finished 15th and could have climbed even higher had the team not asked him to swap positions with Pierre Gasly.

Watching Doohan struggle to exit his car post-race evoked memories of Lance Stroll’s experience in Qatar. Though Stroll’s situation was exacerbated by extreme heat, it was still painful to watch. These athletes are incredibly fit, yet a collision with a wall or tires exerts tremendous strain on their bodies. Ultimately, it was Jack’s chief mechanic and Esteban Ocon who assisted him out of the car, with Esteban even accompanying him to the weigh station while he was weighed. Clearly, the crash had taken a toll.

Pressure and Performance

Doohan has been under immense pressure at Alpine, facing constant rumors about Franco Colapinto potentially taking his seat. I spoke to his team about these rumors, and they reassured me that he has a multi-year contract with Alpine. While the chatter around Franco persists, Jack’s courage during this race will surely be noted by the team.

Earlier that day, Jack signed a multitude of prints from the Australian Grand Prix, perfect for any Jack fan looking to grab a piece of memorabilia. You can find these signed prints at Kym Illman’s store, each one individually numbered, complete with a digital image of him signing your print as proof of authenticity.

Young Talent Shines

Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli finished 6th and secured the fastest lap, becoming the youngest driver ever to lead a lap. I spent time around Kimi in the paddock and was struck by how mature he is for just 18. He interacts well with his peers, and I caught a picture of him alongside Rosa at the hospitality suite.

I also met his mom, Veronica, along with his dad Marco and sister Maggie. Interestingly, they all have different names for him: mom calls him Andrea, dad calls him Kimmy, and Maggie calls him Andy. Maggie is quite independent, often wandering around looking for her brother, but when he appears, he acknowledges her despite being busy with media commitments.

Race Day Highlights

George Russell finished 5th, although this time his regular trainer Aleix was absent. Instead, he had Logan Sargeant’s old trainer, Elias Huhtinen. The crowd was particularly excited to see Yuki Tsunoda, who earned the Driver of the Day title with 23% of the vote. In the post-race celebrations, Tsunoda was the first to dodge getting sprayed with champagne.

Speaking of celebrations, I chatted with Hugh Bird, who was chosen to join Max on the podium. He was drenched in champagne and mentioned he had to endure the sticky mess all the way to Tokyo. What a unique experience!

Fan Culture and Experience

The atmosphere among fans at the paddock was electric. There were fans who caught Ollie Bearman’s attention after he scored a point for Haas. I spoke with his dad afterward, who felt that while twelfth would have been a decent result, finishing tenth was even better. As Ayo Komatsu said, every point is valuable for the team.

Interestingly, Ollie refused to sign a Tops card, which has puzzled many fans. I recall that George Russell has also been hesitant to sign them in the past. If anyone knows the reason behind this, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Japanese Culture at the Track

The crowd waiting to enter the track on race day was fascinating to watch. A gentleman with a megaphone provided instructions in Japanese, and as soon as the signal was given, fans moved with remarkable orderliness—indicative of Japanese culture’s reverence and politeness.

After the race, the track invasion was a sight to behold. Unlike the chaotic scenes often seen in other countries, fans calmly crossed the track, showing respect and order. Hats off to the Japanese for setting the gold standard in fan behavior!

Driver Family Support

Among the families at the track, Alex Albon was spotted with his girlfriend Lily, showcasing their loving relationship. Oscar Piastri’s girlfriend was also present, and Lando Norris’ dad was in attendance as well. Yuki Tsunoda’s family, dressed to impress, added to the vibrant atmosphere.

As for the cars the drivers used to get around, Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda, and Isack Hadjar all drove Honda Civic Type Rs. Oscar Piastri was seen in a Toyota Noah or Voxy, while Lando Norris had a souped-up Nissan Skyline R32, a collaboration between Liberty Walk and Quadrant.

Merchandise Insights

Before wrapping up, I took a look at the merchandise available at the Japanese GP. A Red Bull polo was priced at $134, while a white one was $150. Ferrari merchandise hovered around the same price, and Aston Martin’s offerings were slightly cheaper at $112. Caps were priced between $57 for Red Bull and $63 for Ferrari or Aston Martin. Definitely a treat for fans!

FAQ

• What happened to Jack Doohan at the Japanese GP?
  Jack Doohan crashed during practice and struggled to exit his car after the race due to soreness from the impact.
• How did Kimi Antonelli perform?
  Kimi finished 6th and achieved the fastest lap, making history as the youngest driver to lead a lap.
• Why did Ollie Bearman refuse to sign Tops cards?
  The reason remains unclear, but it’s not uncommon for drivers to avoid signing them for various reasons.
• What is unique about the fan culture at the Japanese GP?
  Fans exhibited a high level of respect and order, both while entering the venue and during the track invasion.