F1 Driver Jack Doohan Discloses Harrowing Death Threats Before Alpine Exit
Formula 1 star Jack Doohan has bravely opened up about a deeply disturbing period in his career, revealing that he received chilling death threats and was confronted by armed men last year. These alarming incidents unfolded just before the Australian driver was axed from his Formula 1 drive with the Alpine team, casting a dark shadow over what proved to be his final race.
Detailed Threats and Physical Confrontation
In the latest series of the popular Netflix documentary Drive To Survive, released on Friday, Doohan provided explicit details of the threats he faced. "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 stated candidly. The driver elaborated further, noting, "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."
Beyond the digital harassment, Doohan recounted a physical encounter that escalated the situation. He described being approached by three "armed men", which forced him to urgently call his security detail for intervention. "I had to call my police escort to come get it under control," he explained, though he did not specify how the confrontation was resolved or identify those responsible.
Career Context and Aftermath
These unsettling events coincided with a critical juncture in Doohan's Formula 1 journey. Having made his debut for Alpine in the final race of the 2024 season, he was subsequently dropped and replaced by Franco Colapinto after the Miami Grand Prix, which marked the sixth race of the 2025 calendar. Doohan characterised the atmosphere around that time as "pretty heavy stuff", reflecting the intense pressure he endured.
Following Colapinto's appointment in May, Doohan publicly addressed the online abuse targeting him and his family, suggesting at the time that fans from Colapinto's home country of Argentina might be responsible. Both drivers faced challenges on the track last season, as they were the only two in Formula 1 who failed to secure any points, with Alpine finishing last in the constructors' standings.
Currently, Jack Doohan holds a reserve driver position for Haas, continuing his involvement in the sport despite the traumatic experiences. His revelations in the documentary highlight not only the personal risks faced by athletes but also the darker side of fan culture in high-stakes motorsport.
