Brutal unaired footage shows under-pressure F1 driver appear to break little known rule after crash that ‘shocked the paddock’
On board footage from Jack Doohan’s Alpine have caused debate over a potential Formula 1 rule-break. The Australian rookie got off to a horror start at the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, crashing out in Friday practice at a speed of 200mph. Doohan’s crash was a cause for huge concern but he was able to get to the medical centre and continue the weekendGetty F1TVNew images suggest he may have been in worse condition than first thought[/caption] It was later established that the incident was driver error, with Doohan failing to close DRS meaning he severely lacked downforce before attacking turn one and writing off his car. Such an error is enough to put the under-pressure rookie’s future in further doubt but now footage from Sunday’s race has raised more questions. Having qualified 19th, Doohan came home in a respectable 15th, only two places behind teammate Pierre Gasly. Yet after returning to the pit lane, footage from inside his car has shown the 22-year-old needing help to get out of his cockpit. Clearly trying not to use his left hand, Doohan was unable to pull himself up with his right, and needed assistance from a team member before Haas’ Esteban Ocon also offered his help. Once out of the car, Ocon also had his arm around a limping Doohan, suggesting either an injury or that the 53 laps around Suzuka had taken its toll on the youngster. However, should it have been a pre-existing injury from Friday’s crash that ‘shocked the paddock’, Doohan could have broken a rule. The Australian media picked up on the incident and leading outlet News.au called it ‘Doohan’s big secret’ as FIA rules strictly state that drivers must be able to get out of a car within five seconds and of their own accord. Had the Queensland native started the race unable to do so, he may well have been in breach of Article 13.1 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations. Drivers undergo strict egress testing during car homologation and there have so far been no examples of a penalty for failing the test. F1TVDoohan needed Ocon’s help and clearly struggled getting out of the car[/caption] Former Haas driver Romain Grosjean took 27 seconds to get out of his car at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2020 when he pierced a barrier and received serious burns with his car on fire. The footage of Doohan has naturally claimed headlines in Argentina too, with their home hero Franco Colapinto reportedly fighting for the Australian’s seat. Colapinto competed in nine Grand Prix for Williams last season and was unlucky not to find himself on the 2025 grid, but was later signed as Alpine’s reserve driver. Rumours have since been rife about him replacing Doohan, with reports that the Australian only has a six-race deal to start his F1 career.
On board footage from Jack Doohan’s Alpine have caused debate over a potential Formula 1 rule-break.
The Australian rookie got off to a horror start at the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, crashing out in Friday practice at a speed of 200mph.
It was later established that the incident was driver error, with Doohan failing to close DRS meaning he severely lacked downforce before attacking turn one and writing off his car.
Such an error is enough to put the under-pressure rookie’s future in further doubt but now footage from Sunday’s race has raised more questions.
Having qualified 19th, Doohan came home in a respectable 15th, only two places behind teammate Pierre Gasly.
Yet after returning to the pit lane, footage from inside his car has shown the 22-year-old needing help to get out of his cockpit.
Clearly trying not to use his left hand, Doohan was unable to pull himself up with his right, and needed assistance from a team member before Haas’ Esteban Ocon also offered his help.
Once out of the car, Ocon also had his arm around a limping Doohan, suggesting either an injury or that the 53 laps around Suzuka had taken its toll on the youngster.
However, should it have been a pre-existing injury from Friday’s crash that ‘shocked the paddock’, Doohan could have broken a rule.
The Australian media picked up on the incident and leading outlet News.au called it ‘Doohan’s big secret’ as FIA rules strictly state that drivers must be able to get out of a car within five seconds and of their own accord.
Had the Queensland native started the race unable to do so, he may well have been in breach of Article 13.1 of the FIA Formula One Technical Regulations.
Drivers undergo strict egress testing during car homologation and there have so far been no examples of a penalty for failing the test.
Former Haas driver Romain Grosjean took 27 seconds to get out of his car at the Bahrain Grand Prix in 2020 when he pierced a barrier and received serious burns with his car on fire.
The footage of Doohan has naturally claimed headlines in Argentina too, with their home hero Franco Colapinto reportedly fighting for the Australian’s seat.
Colapinto competed in nine Grand Prix for Williams last season and was unlucky not to find himself on the 2025 grid, but was later signed as Alpine’s reserve driver.
Rumours have since been rife about him replacing Doohan, with reports that the Australian only has a six-race deal to start his F1 career.
