Kondo Racing defends Jack Doohan after triple crash in Suzuka Super Formula test

Jack Doohan's Super Formula test with Kondo Racing ended dramatically with three separate crashes at the same Suzuka corner, but the Japanese team has publicly backed the young Australian driver, highlighting his potential despite the incidents. The crashes capped a difficult period for Doohan, who was recently replaced at Alpine's F1 team after just six races in the 2025 season.

Why it matters:

For a driver recently demoted from Formula 1, a successful test in a competitive series like Super Formula is crucial for rebuilding momentum and proving his worth. Public support from a respected team like Kondo Racing, especially after multiple crashes, provides Doohan with valuable confidence and suggests his underlying pace and feedback are still highly regarded, which could be pivotal for his future career opportunities.

The details:

• All three crashes occurred at the challenging Degner 2 (Turn 9) at Suzuka Circuit during testing for Kondo Racing.
• The first incident was a heavy impact with the barriers, followed by two subsequent head-on crashes at the same corner.
• Despite the setbacks, Kondo Racing's factory manager, Nobuaki Adachi, praised Doohan's performance, stating both he and teammate Luke Browning "performed very well."
• Adachi attributed the crashes to the difficult conditions at Suzuka at this time of year and expressed confidence in Doohan's ability to adapt.
• The team worked extensively to repair Doohan's car after his Friday crash to ensure he could complete the test, with Adachi noting it would have been "heartbreaking" for him not to finish.

By the numbers:

Doohan ultimately finished the rookie-only session in seventh place out of 13 drivers, setting a best lap time of 1:39.378. The session was topped by Ugo Ugochukwu with a time of 1:37.770.

What's next:

Kondo Racing's strong vote of confidence indicates Doohan remains in the frame for future opportunities, potentially in Super Formula. The team's focus on ensuring he left the test without a "bad impression" underscores their belief in his long-term potential. For Doohan, the immediate task is to analyze the crashes, make the necessary adjustments as highlighted by the team, and convert his recognized speed into consistent, crash-free performances to reclaim his trajectory toward the top of motorsport.