Jack Doohan has publicly revealed that he received death threats and faced an armed encounter around the time of last year's Miami Grand Prix, just before he was dropped by the Formula 1 team Alpine. The Australian driver shared these harrowing details in the latest series of the Netflix documentary "Drive To Survive," which was released on Friday.
Serious Threats and Police Involvement
In the documentary, Doohan described the atmosphere leading up to what proved to be his final race with Alpine as "pretty heavy stuff." He stated, "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." Specifically, he received six or seven emails threatening that if he remained in the car by Miami, his limbs would be cut off.
Armed Encounter and Escalation
Doohan also recounted a disturbing incident where he encountered three armed men. He had to call his police escort to intervene and bring the situation under control. While he did not specify how the incident was resolved or identify those responsible, it highlighted the severe security concerns he faced during this period.
Timeline of Events and Aftermath
Doohan made his debut for Alpine in the last race of 2024 and was replaced by Franco Colapinto after the Miami Grand Prix, which was the sixth race of the 2025 season. Following his departure from Alpine in May, Doohan took to social media to address online abuse directed at him and his family, suggesting that fans from Colapinto's home country of Argentina were behind the harassment.
Performance Context and Current Role
Both Doohan and Colapinto were the only drivers in F1 last season who failed to score a point, contributing to Alpine finishing last in the constructors' standings. Currently, Doohan serves as a reserve driver for Haas, marking a shift in his racing career after the tumultuous events with Alpine.
The revelations in "Drive To Survive" shed light on the intense pressures and dangers that can accompany professional motorsport, beyond the typical competitive challenges on the track.
