Jack Doohan could have easily been the story of the Canadian Grand Prix but instead, he had to settle for a role with a microphone in his hand.
The changeable weather conditions made the Canadian Grand Prix one of the most entertaining events of the season but ultimately cost Jack Doohan his chance to impress for Alpine.
He joined the F1 Post-Race Show to dissect a fascinating race that was eventually won by Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman extended his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship over Charles Leclerc who failed to finish the race after a power unit issue and a terrible strategy call from Ferrari.
It meant that Verstappen’s nearest rival in Canada was McLaren star Lando Norris and Doohan has explained one aspect of the Brit’s racecraft that was on another level compared to his rivals.
Norris has closed the gap to Leclerc in the standings and could end up being his close friend’s biggest rival in the championship sooner rather than later.
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Jack Doohan explains that Lando Norris was on ‘another level’ in Canada
There were plenty of storylines up and down the paddock heading into Montreal but the one many fans had their eye on was taking place at Alpine.
After Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly collided in Monaco, the French team announced that they would be parting ways with Ocon at the end of 2024.
That coincided nicely with handing Jack Doohan his first participation in FP1 this season as he tries to put himself in contention to step up to F1 in 2025.
Unfortunately, the wet conditions meant Doohan couldn’t get a decent run in the car and instead had to step into punditry duties.
That’s when he got to focus on the race going on at the front of the pack in Canada.
George Russell’s brilliant qualifying performance put him on pole position but he was quickly under pressure from Verstappen and Norris once the track started to dry.
Verstappen called for the DRS to be enabled but – as Martin Brundle described it – it was an own goal as he made a small mistake that allowed Norris to eventually take the lead.
Doohan was really impressed by how Norris took the lead in Canada and in particular how he looked after his tyres to make sure he was ready to battle with the two cars in front of him.
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Reflecting on the Brit’s performance, Doohan said: “Lando [Norris], great first stint on the intermediates, I think the management was just on another level.
“When they all boxed he had an 11-second gap, so the safety car worked for him in Miami, it didn’t here, so the rolls were reserved.
“I think he’ll accept that one but a little bit of a shame.”
Norris was caught out by an unfortunately timed safety car that ultimately cost him his chance of winning the race.
The significant lead he built up was wiped out and he couldn’t find a way past Verstappen with both Mercedes drivers putting him and Oscar Piastri under pressure.
The McLaren pair have been declared the best driver partnership on the grid by Red Bull chief Helmut Marko.
He’ll be hoping that McLaren don’t produce a car that can consistently match and beat the RB20.
Otherwise, Norris and Piastri are in a strong position to take advantage of Sergio Perez’s recent struggles.
The post ‘Accept that one’: Jack Doohan shares what Lando Norris did in Canada that was simply on ‘another level’ appeared first on F1 Oversteer.