Jack Doohan Reveals Violent Death Threats During F1 Tenure
Jack Doohan has revealed he received violent death threats, including threats of dismemberment, during his 2025 stint with Alpine F1, necessitating armed security at the Miami GP. The Australian described the psychological toll of the abuse and his performance struggles before being replaced. He has since joined Haas as a reserve driver for 2026.
Former Alpine driver Jack Doohan has revealed he received graphic death threats and required armed security during his brief 2025 Formula 1 race seat, casting a dark shadow over what should have been a dream debut. In an upcoming season of Netflix's Drive to Survive, the Australian details a campaign of violent abuse that culminated at the Miami Grand Prix, forcing him to navigate his rookie season under police protection.
Why it matters:
This shocking account highlights the severe and often hidden psychological pressures and online abuse faced by modern athletes, particularly young drivers in the high-stakes F1 spotlight. It underscores how toxic fan behavior and social media vitriol can escalate into real-world security threats, impacting a competitor's mental health and performance during a critical career phase.
The details:
- Graphic Threats: Doohan disclosed receiving six or seven emails ahead of the Miami GP that threatened to "cut off all my limbs" if he was still in the car, escalating beyond typical online criticism.
- Security Escalation: The situation required a police escort and three armed guards to protect Doohan, his girlfriend, and his trainer throughout the Miami race weekend.
- Performance Struggles: The threats occurred against a backdrop of on-track difficulties. Doohan failed to score a point in his six races, crashed at his home Australian GP, and was often significantly off the pace of teammate Pierre Gasly.
- Team Dynamics: Pressure mounted with the winter signing of Franco Colapinto, and Doohan was replaced by the rookie ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, ending his race seat after just seven events.
What's next:
Doohan and Alpine mutually agreed to part ways in January 2026. He has since rebuilt his career path, securing a reserve driver role at Haas for the 2026 season, supporting race drivers Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon. While his time as a full-time F1 driver was marred by extreme adversity, his move to Haas offers a chance to reset and continue pursuing his Formula 1 ambitions from within the paddock.