Jack Doohan disclosed the disturbing level of online abuse and death threats he endured during his short Formula 1 career with Alpine last year, sharing a harrowing account from his final race weekend. The Australian driver, aged 23, made his debut at the conclusion of the 2024 season, but his full-time drive in 2025 quickly deteriorated amid intense pressures.
Alpine’s team principal Flavio Briatore brought in rising talent Franco Colapinto from Williams as a reserve driver, which immediately created competition for Doohan’s seat. The mounting pressure coincided with a difficult start to the season, including crashes and no points scored, leading to Doohan being replaced by Colapinto after the Miami Grand Prix in May.
The Impact of Threats and Security Measures During Miami GP Weekend
In an interview featured in the latest Drive to Survive series, Doohan revealed the severity of the threats he received around the Miami Grand Prix. He described receiving multiple death threats and hostile messages demanding he leave the car, with some explicitly threatening physical harm.
“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,”
Doohan said.
“I had six or seven emails saying if I am still in the car by Miami, all my limbs will be cut off.”
The level of danger was so high that Doohan, his girlfriend, and his trainer were provided with police escorts and armed protection throughout the race weekend.
“Wednesday, I was there with my f***ing girlfriend and my trainer, and I’ve got three f***ing armed men around me,”
Doohan recalled.
“I had to call my police escort to come and get it under control.”
Career Consequences Following Alpine Departure
Jack Doohan, son of Australian motorcycle racing legend Mick Doohan, eventually parted ways with Alpine and secured a fresh opportunity as a reserve driver for Haas. However, the experience left a lasting impact on him.
“I wasn’t able to enjoy being a Formula 1 driver, something I dreamt of for so long,”
Doohan reflected.
So yeah, it’s pretty s***.
Flavio Briatore’s Role and Team Decisions
Flavio Briatore, the former Benetton and Renault team boss known for his authoritative management style, was also interviewed in the Drive to Survive series. He openly discussed his approach to team discipline and personnel decisions, emphasizing a tough stance with drivers.
“I still enjoy (firing people) if the people are not doing their job,”
Briatore said.
“Sometimes you want the stick and to beat everyone on the head. I’m not a dictator — but you do whatever I tell you to do.”
Following Doohan’s replacement, Alpine initially suggested Franco Colapinto’s promotion was a trial to assess who should finish the season, though Briatore later denied this. Despite Colapinto’s efforts, the Argentine driver did not manage to score points, finishing the year with an average position of 15.8 and a best result of 11th place at the Dutch Grand Prix. Colapinto remains with Alpine for the 2026 season alongside Pierre Gasly, who delivered consistent top-10 results amidst the team’s struggles.
Future Prospects for Doohan Amid Uncertain Racing Path
Jack Doohan is currently positioned to serve as a substitute driver for Haas if regular drivers Ollie Bearman or Esteban Ocon are unavailable during the 2025 racing calendar. While missing out on a Super Formula drive in Japan, he appears to be preparing for a potential return to sportscar racing.
The difficult ending to his Alpine stint, combined with the distressing threats and safety measures required, highlight the intense pressures faced by young drivers in Formula 1. Doohan’s experiences underscore the risks within high-stakes motorsport environments and the challenges of navigating early career setbacks under immense scrutiny.
