Jack Doohan’s FIA Formula 2 season is ‘just starting now’ after a run of bad luck in the opening rounds. He spoke openly about his newfound pace in his Virtuosi after his last time out in Monaco.
Speaking to insideF2 Editor and motorsport journalist, Jim Kimberley, Doohan explained further:
“Unfortunately [it’s starting] late but better late than never. I think we are a little far away, but not too far away at all. In Monaco I was P2 in Group but a bit of unfortunate circumstances so P4 overall.”
Doohan qualified third in Catalunya, if he finished there he would pick up his second podium of the season. He was the favourite for many ahead of Round 1 in Bahrain but a lack of qualifying pace has put him on the back foot for most rounds.
“Today we had the potential for pole but were P3 so we’re back to where we usually are. When the car is in the window we should never be below P3. So it’s good to be back and I know that we have some more potential, looking forward to building on this and starting my campaign here.”
When asked the reason for his late start this season, Doohan stated, “Last season was because of my own endeavours. This season is something massively out of my control.”
“Last year, I lost the front wing in Bahrain and then Jeddah P3, got DQ’d from Quali so was at the back. And then Imola, starting P3, I had an incident with Dennis [Hauger] so that was three rounds which were shot really.”
“Whereas this year, if anything, I took steps forward coming into this year but unfortunately things outside of my control were just not enabling me to do anything. But we’re able to sort that for the test here in Barcelona and get that sorted.”
In Monaco, he seemingly recovered from the loss of pace but suffered a big crash in the Feature Race after running in the podium-paying positions.
“I made one of my first mistakes in a long while and unfortunately it was a hefty one, but that’s how it is sometimes. It was more costly because I didn’t have points behind me. But I learnt from it and we go forward and we were able to bounce back today.”
Despite having fewer points than he would’ve hoped for at this stage, the young Australian definitely hasn’t given up on the championship.
“Oh, 100% [the championship is] massively alive. I’m taking it lap by lap, session by session. Just trying to tick the boxes. I don’t need to prove anything. I don’t need to show anyone. I just need to get back to where I know I can be and that’s at the front and that’s where we are now and start to build some consistency and strong results.”
The Formula 2 Sprint Race is set to get underway at 14:15 local time on Saturday.
Image: Formula Motorsport Limited
