Australian driver Jack Doohan faced alarming death threats and had to involve police around the time of last year’s Miami Grand Prix, shortly before losing his Formula 1 seat with Alpine. His revelations came through the recently released Netflix series Drive To Survive, revealing a disturbing backdrop to his final races with the team.
Details of the Threats and Disturbing Encounters
Doohan described receiving multiple threatening emails urging him to leave his race seat, warning of severe harm if he continued.
“I got serious death threats for this Grand Prix, saying they’re going to kill me here if I’m not out of the car,”
he said. He added,
“I had six or seven emails saying if I’m still in the car by Miami, that I’ll be, you know, all my limbs will be cut off.”
The severity escalated when he encountered three armed men, prompting him to call his police escort for assistance.
“I had to call my police escort to come get it under control,”
Doohan stated.
Career Impact and Online Abuse Following Replacement
Doohan debuted for Alpine at the last race of 2024 but was replaced by Argentine driver Franco Colapinto after the sixth race in Miami 2025. After the switch, Doohan claimed he and his family endured sustained online abuse, implicating fans from Colapinto’s home country. Both drivers were the only ones in last season’s F1 field who failed to score points as Alpine finished at the bottom of the constructors’ standings.
Significance of These Events Within Doohan’s Racing Journey
These revelations highlight the intense pressures and dangers faced by Formula 1 drivers beyond the track, especially when driver lineups shift amid fierce fan loyalties. Doohan’s experience underscores a troubling escalation in hostile behavior toward athletes and raises concerns about safety and mental well-being in motorsport. His current role as a Haas reserve driver suggests a new chapter, but the lasting impact of such threats may continue to influence his career trajectory and the sport’s culture.
