Alpine rookie Jack Doohan has pledged to return for “many more” Melbourne Grand Prix despite crashing on the first lap of his debut race in Australia.
The 22-year-old was one of three drivers to fall foul of the wet surface in the early stages after a day of heavy rain, marking a disappointing end to a weekend where he showed promise in qualifying 14th.
Doohan said the car slipped out from under him when we was shifting up from third gear.
Related: Formula One: Australian Grand Prix – live
“As I went into fourth [gear] I lost the car, so [there are] some things that I’m going to need to understand, because for me, that wasn’t out of the normal,” Doohan said, speculating that he may have lost grip on one of the white lines on the fast street circuit.
“It’s a constant learning process, unfortunately this one has big consequences, but I’ve definitely learned, and I’m going to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.”
Despite Doohan’s early exit the Australian was not even the first driver to retire. Rookie Isack Hajdar spun his Racing Bulls car on the formation lap.
Under the yellow flag that followed Doohan’s accident, Williams veteran Carlos Sainz also found the wall, highlighting the treacherous nature of the conditions.
Doohan said he wasn’t looking for excuses.
“It’s my first shunt in one of these Formula One cars, I’m sure it won’t be the last, it’s a brutal way to have it, but it happens, we’re humans,” he said.
“I didn’t want it to happen, but it has. so I’ve accepted it, and I’m not really looking for excuses out there for other drivers or anything like that. I made this mistake, and I accept and I look forward to bouncing back.”
Speculation swirls around Doohan and the pressure he is under from Alpine reserve driver Franco Colapinto for his seat, and some reports suggests he may have as few as three races to prove his is worthy of his seat.
“You have to enjoy today, and look forward to tomorrow,” Doohan said.
“Each time I get to hop into these machines – I think we all are [thinking] – it’s a privilege, and I look forward to many more homegrown grand prix, and to the rest of the season.”
Of the six rookies, only Williams’ Kimi Antonelli and Haas’ Oliver Bearman finished the race, won by Lando Norris in the McLaren.
