Jacques Villeneuve hits out at ‘laziness’ from F1 rookie whose ‘bad habit’ cost him at Japanese Grand Prix

For the first time this season, there was no major upset in Q1 at the Japanese Grand Prix. Former Red Bull driver Liam Lawson had been an early casualty in both Australia and China.

Mercedes newbie Kimi Antonelli was also eliminated in the first segment at Albert Park. But Lawson appeared more comfortable in the Racing Bulls car at Suzuka, while Antonelli dug out a late lap to climb out of trouble.

The knockout list had a more conventional look to it, with the Sauber duo of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto closest to making it through. Oliver Bearman beat Esteban Ocon in a Grand Prix qualifying for the first time as the Frenchman ended up a disappointing P18.

After his heavy crash in practice, Jack Doohan ended up in P19, which will no doubt intensify the speculation around his immediate future. Lance Stroll looked happier than ever before this weekend, but he suffered his first major setback of the season as a mistake left him at the back of the grid.

Jacques Villeneuve says Jack Doohan got into a ‘bad habit’ before Japanese Grand Prix

Speaking live on Sky Sports before qualifying, 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve took issue with Doohan’s approach. He’s heard that the Australian was leaving the DRS open as he dived into turn one on the simulator.

That same strategy cost him in Friday practice as he suffered a 185mph snap and slammed the tyre barriers. Doohan appeared winded as he climbed out of the car but he was cleared to take part in the remainder of the weekend.

The 22-year-old didn’t lose out on significant running given that there were three further red flags in FP2. His mechanics stayed at the track until the early hours to fix the car for FP3.

But Doohan was perhaps lacking in confidence as he posted his worst qualifying result of the year. Villeneuve fears his carelessness may have cost him in Japan.

“From what we hear, in the simulator he was leaving it open, but for no reason because you’re going to have it open for, what, 10 metres?” he said. “You don’t gain any speed, so it’s laziness not closing it in the sim, because what are you going to hit?

“Then you get muscle memory, you get into a bad habit when you get to the real car. You focus, the corners are coming, you don’t think about what you have to do. You go by habit.”

Have Alpine already delivered brutal news to Jack Doohan?

Alpine arguably bear some responsibility for Doohan’s mistake after sidelining him in FP1. They wanted to give their reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa a chance in front of his home fans.

Doohan was ‘miffed’ that Hirakawa got the nod, though it might be said that he would have made the same mistake regardless. He may be dreading his next conversation with de facto team boss Flavio Briatore.

In Villeneuve’s opinion, Doohan already knows he’s going to be replaced. The theory is that Franco Colapinto will drive for Alpine from Miami onwards.

It’s been reported that Doohan and Colapinto will go head-to-head in a TPC session in Bahrain. The outcome of the full race simulation could determine who gets the drive for the rest of the year.