Mixed emotions for Jack Doohan after narrowly missing Q3 in Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying
Jack Doohan left qualifying in Bahrain with mixed emotions after being unable to convert improved pace for Alpine to a top ten starting position.
SAKHIR–It was an impressive showing for Alpine in qualifying for the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix, but Jack Doohan left the session with mixed emotions after narrowly missing out on the top ten.
The Aussie was one of the fastest in the opening part of qualifying, at times moving up to fifth on the timesheets, before being narrowly eliminated at the end of Q2 in eleventh.
“I have mixed emotions after that session even if the majority of the evening was largely very positive," said Doohan.
"We will start tomorrow’s race in our best starting position of the year on my side. It was all coming together nicely throughout Q1 and most of Q2.
"I think I missed the window on tyre optimisation on the last run – a little too fast on my warm-up – over preparing them and we probably did not maximise the full potential on that last push lap."
It was a reassuring showing for Alpine, with Doohan's teammate Pierre Gasly to start the race in fifth.
"We really managed to unlock the potential from the tyres... and in that last lap, when I crossed the line, I knew it was a special one," said the Frenchman.
"Plenty of positives there and things to understand for future," said an encouraged Doohan.
"Tomorrow will be a long race, with high tyre degradation quite likely.
"Starting in eleventh means we are knocking on the door of the points so we will see what we can do on strategy and aim to convert today into a top ten finish in the race."
Doohan was supported by racing director Dave Greenwood, who said it was a rewarding result for the team.
"Jack was matching Pierre all the way and showed good speed also, but narrowly missed out on a spot in Q3."
"It’s a great result in qualifying for the team, which is a nice reward and testament to all the hard work behind the scenes in recent weeks at Enstone and Viry.
"When you compared where the team was in Bahrain last year in P19 and P20 to today, it's been a great effort by the whole team.
"But we know the points are handed out tomorrow and we'll work hard to carry the positive momentum into the race tomorrow."
The Bahrain Grand Prix is underway at 1.00am AEST on Monday.
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