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Japan – EL2: Four red flags spoil the session, Hadjar 3rd

The drivers had very little running during the second practice session for the Japanese Grand Prix due to four red flags caused by Jack Doohan's huge crash, Fernando Alonso's veering off the track and fires on the grass.

Published 04/04/2025 à 09:03

Cyprien Juilhard

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Japan – EL2: Four red flags spoil the session, Hadjar 3rd

@DPPI

If the latest edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans had broken the record for time spent under a safety car, Free Practice 2 of the 2025 Japanese GP will perhaps also go down in history for the short time spent on track by the drivers. Of the hour initially scheduled, the drivers spent only about 20 minutes behind the wheel due to several interruptions.

Jack Doohan was the first to crash after just five minutes into the session. The Australian lost control of his car in the very fast first bend, hitting the barriers in a shock as impressive as it was violent. Dazed, he took a few moments to regain his senses and climb down from the wreckage of his Alpine before being transferred to the medical center for a check-up.

ALSO READ > VIDEO – Jack Doohan’s violent crash in EL2 in Japan

It took more than twenty minutes to repair and clean up the damage caused by the rookie, before it was the turn of the most experienced driver on the grid to make a blunder. The session had barely resumed when Fernando Alonso went to the gravel trap between the two Degner corners. The Spaniard, who has had a decidedly lackluster start to the season, caused a second red flag.

The session was quickly restarted… and just as quickly interrupted again. This time, there was no accident, but a fire broke out on the grass bordering the Suzuka track, the result of sparks thrown up by the cars. The drivers were finally able to re-emerge with 7 minutes to go and Oscar piastri set the best time ahead of his teammate Lando Norris, who had been the fastest in EL1.

Note the very fine third place of Isack Hadjar, who is ahead of Lewis Hamilton (4th) and his new teammate Liam Lawson (5th), proof that the Racing Bulls is working very well at the start of the season. Furthermore, between the Parisian, 3rd, and Charles Leclerc, 7th, five drivers are within 0″068! The field is still very close. As the clock was about to reach zero, race control raised a fourth red flag due to another fire, halting any possible improvements.

F1 – Japanese GP

The ranking of Free Practice 2 

The ranking of Free Practice 1

The weekend program

Saturday, April 5
4h30 – Free Practice 3: Canal+ Sport
8h00 – Qualifications: Canal+ Sport / Live Texte AUTOhebdo
Sunday, April 6
7h00 – Race: Canal+ / Live Texte AUTOhebdo
13h30 – Rebroadcast: Canal+

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Comment on this article! 3

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3 Comment (s)

Yves-Henri RANDIER

04/04/2025 at 12:51 a.m.

A very nice 3rd place for Hadjar ahead of Hamilton and Lawson. In FP2, aren't some, like Racing Bulls, tempted to have the minimum fuel? Looking forward to qualifying, hoping that the mechanics at Enstone will be able to rebuild the car used by Hirakawa in FP1 before Doohan crashes in FP2!

1

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vincent moyet

04/04/2025 at 10:56 a.m.

It's a good thing it's not a sprint weekend! What will happen on a sprint weekend where the drivers have almost no practice time due to a major crash? And what if the race takes place in the rain, for example? It will be extremely dangerous. But apparently it will have to happen (hopefully without any injuries) for F1 to realize that drivers are not allowed to race with cars they haven't been able to adjust.

A

Alain Féguenne

04/04/2025 at 09:44 a.m.

Sorry for Doohan, but he doesn't deserve to be in F1……. He must be replaced immediately…… Also for his own safety….. Alpine to reserve drivers ……. See Mick Schumacher … !!!!!

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