Jack Doohan reveals death threats received during Alpine F1 stint
Jack Doohan has revealed he received serious death threats before the 2025 Miami GP during a period of intense seat pressure at Alpine, an incident featured in the new *Drive to Survive*. The threats required armed security and police intervention. Doohan, now a Haas reserve driver, was replaced after that weekend.
Former Alpine driver Jack Doohan has disclosed that he received graphic death threats ahead of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, a period of intense pressure as rumors swirled about him losing his race seat. The incident, captured in the upcoming season of Netflix's Drive to Survive, involved armed security and police, casting a stark light on the dark side of intense fan culture in Formula 1. Doohan, now a reserve driver for Haas, was ultimately replaced by Franco Colapinto after that race weekend.
Why it matters:
The revelation highlights the severe and sometimes dangerous psychological pressure drivers face beyond the track, exacerbated by the intense speculation and fan engagement amplified by media and docuseries. It raises critical questions about driver safety, online harassment, and the duty of care teams and the sport owe to young athletes navigating high-stakes careers in the public eye.
The details:
- The threats emerged amidst rumors that Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto would replace Doohan at Alpine early in the 2025 season.
- Doohan stated he received "six or seven emails" ahead of the Miami GP, with specific threats of violence if he remained in the car.
- The situation escalated to the point where he required three armed security personnel and a police escort while with his girlfriend and trainer in Miami.
- Following the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine moved Doohan to a reserve role, ending his brief stint as a race driver for the team.
- In early 2026, he secured a position as a reserve driver with the Haas F1 Team, a move both he and Team Principal Ayao Komatsu expressed enthusiasm about.
What's next:
Doohan's primary focus is now on his reserve role with Haas, aiming to contribute to the team and position himself for a future racing opportunity. The public airing of these threats in Drive to Survive Season 8 will likely spark broader conversations within the F1 community about fan behavior and driver welfare. For Doohan, the Haas role represents a fresh start and a chance to rebuild his F1 career away from the intense scrutiny he faced at Alpine.