Kids of Kings Kicking On
Doohan and Gardner both hit the winner’s list in world championship motorsport at the weekend, but it was Jack and Remy not Mick and Wayne.
It was the first time the young guns finished on top at the same time, Doohan Jnr in the FIA Formula 3 championship and Gardner Jnr again in Motor2.
At a lesser level, but still impressively, Oli Bayliss – son of world champion Troy – won an Australian Superbike Championship race in Darwin.
Doohan was the biggest winner from the sons of guns as he finally got on track in F3 after a dismal and disappointing first season in Europe in 2020.
Switching to the crack Trident team and restoring his confidence has given Doohan the impetus to become a serious F3 contender and he proved it with a stirring drive to victory in the Feature Race at the French Grand Prix meeting.
“It means everything,” Doohan said of his win.
“Last year was very, very tough. I scored no points at all and that took a big toll on the mental side of things, on my confidence. Questioning whether I did have talent or not, or if I was just wasting my time.
“It is a hefty amount of money to do all this and a huge sacrifice, but I am very thankful to everyone. My parents, the team, my trainer, everyone for giving me this opportunity.”
For Gardner, victory in the German Grand Prix continued the momentum – and maturity – that has him solidly on track for the Moto2 world title.
“Before the race my brother message me ‘Yo, go win it today. You’ll be the first Australian to win three consecutively in the intermediate class!’,” he said.
“I guess I’m making history, so that’s cool. It was a really long race, a lot of laps around here. Happy to get those 25 points, it was an extremely important day for us.”
But not as important as it was for Doohan, who beat a classy field including another Aussie youngster – Calam Williams – who had scored his first F3 podium the previous day in France.
He is now a potential title contender, something he sees in himself.
“I hope so. Race 1 and Race 2 in Barcelona hurt us quite a lot, but since then we have been consistent,” Doohan said.
“Getting good points is what you need with this format. I am really happy to get this win, the 25 points help tremendously.
“Now it is just about not focusing on the Championship, but taking it race by race.”
