Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert, who competed in 160 Grands Prix between 1989 and 2000, didn’t hold back when discussing Jack Doohan’s shocking crash during practice at the Japanese Grand Prix.
Doohan’s Costly Mistake: A Rookie Error?
In a brutally honest assessment, Herbert criticized Doohan’s failure to deactivate the DRS (Drag Reduction System) before entering Turn 1, calling it an “embarrassingly foolish mistake.”
“It was shocking to learn that Jack Doohan didn’t hit the DRS button. That should be second nature for a driver at this level,” Herbert said in an interview with SambaSlots.
He explained the technical details behind the blunder:
“When DRS is activated, it closes automatically when you brake. But if you’re entering a high-speed corner without braking, you need to manually deactivate it. He didn’t press the button—an unbelievably silly mistake. Without rear grip, you’re heading straight for the barrier. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Could This End Doohan’s F1 Dream?
Herbert believes this incident couldn’t have come at a worse time for Doohan, especially amid swirling rumors involving Franco Colapinto and Flavio Briatore.
“It’s a humiliating crash that makes him look foolish. It does nothing to help his situation, with all the speculation around Colapinto and Briatore. A decision like this could cost him his shot at an F1 career,” the British racing veteran warned.
He further suggested that Doohan might struggle to recover:
“I’d be surprised if he manages to climb out of this mess. He’s on the brink, to put it bluntly. Confidence is everything in Formula 1, and right now, he has none. Everything has gone wrong for him.”
Can Doohan Turn Things Around?
When asked if Doohan could still salvage his career, Herbert was firm:
“It’s entirely up to him. No one else can help him. He simply cannot afford to make these kinds of mistakes. It’s unacceptable for a driver at this level. Even I, having never driven with DRS, know that if it’s open going into a fast corner, you’re not making it through.”
With F1 being as ruthless as ever, Doohan now faces an uphill battle to prove he belongs on the grid. Can he bounce back, or has this blunder sealed his fate?
