Formula One rookie suffers 'big, big crash' in practice at Japanese Grand Prix as trackside fires spark chaos

Australian driver Jack Doohan was involved in a terrifying high-speed crash during the second practice session ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix.

Doohan was at the start of only his fourth lap of the weekend when he lost control of the rear end of his car as he was about to make the first turn.

The Alpine driver’s car spun around, careered across the gravel before smashing into the tyre wall.

The smash, which brought out the red flag after only seven-and-a-half minutes of the session, caused significant damage to his car, knocking one of his wheels clean off.

Doohan confirmed to his team that he was OK but was seen walking gingerly away from his car accompanied by the medical team.

Sky Sports expert Anthony Davidson explained why he didn't believe Doohan was at fault for the incident.

'I think the car might have just bottomed out,' he said. 'I know these cars are capable of taking that corner flat out on the approach.

'It doesn't look like driver error. if it wasn't having his DRS open, the car just bottomed out heavily.

'It looked to me like he was just a passenger there.'

Doohan is driving at Suzuka for the first time this week and sat out first practice, with Alpine choosing to give Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa some valuable experience at the helm of an F1 car.

The session resumed 25 minutes later following barrier repairs, but was brought to a halt again only moments later when Aston Martin veteran Fernando Alonso beached his car at turn eight.

Remarkably, a third red flag was waved when a trackside fire broke out. Sunny and windy conditions have left the grass dry, making for a potent combination when paired with the sparks emanating from the rapid F1 cars.

Stewards were able to deal with the fire before it spread significantly, allowing the racing to get back underway.