A new racing style

The early part of the 1993 season would be heavily compromised by the limitations of his right leg, but an idea in the third race transformed Mick’s fortunes.

“I used a lot of rear brake on the 500[cc bike], but I couldn’t do that anymore because I didn’t have any movement in my ankle,” he told MotorSport magazine.

So Mick switched to a thumb-operated rear brake, and within two races, was back on the podium, claiming his first victory since the accident a few races later at Mugello – until another crash at Laguna Seca broke a shoulder and ended his season.

Mick received further treatment for his leg after that, with surgeon Kevin Louie marvelling at his resistance to pain - call it "almost superhuman".

With his leg improving and the new braking system, Mick could finally begin to utilise the unique riding style developed on dirt tracks, hanging his lower body off the bike, to a much greater extent.

This was bad news for the rest of the MotoGP grid, as Mick would begin a period of domination rarely seen in professional sports, let alone mind motor racing.

Of the 71 races held in the 1994—98 seasons, Mick won 44 of them and finished second in a further 15, claiming five straight world championships. This era of dominance may well have continued, but following another crash early in the 1999 season, Mick announced his retirement. In total, he amassed an extraordinary 54 wins, 58 pole positions and 95 podiums from just 137 starts.

The legacy lives on

Unsurprisingly, given his drive and dedication, Mick wasn’t the sort to put his feet up in retirement. In fact, he was just getting started. Mick turned his passion for aviation into a profession, starting Global Jet International and Platinum Business Aviation Centre, primarily catering to private aviation clients.

The business expanded in 2014 when Mick became the Australia-Pacific partner for corporate aircraft trader Jetcraft. This is in addition to being a long-standing board member of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, the first chairman of Karting Australia and much more.

When it came to four wheels, Mick turned to Mercedes-Benz, beginning a partnership that now stretches well into its third decade. The skills that made him such a formidable force on a motorcycle also transfer to a car, and he’s been the proud owner of a succession of Mercedes-AMG models since the early 90s.

He’s also passing his skills on to the next generation, with son Jack Doohan starting his first full season in Formula 1 racing in 2025, having made his debut in the final race of 2024. If he’s also inherited his father’s legendary competitiveness and determination, then the rest of the grid would do well to watch out.