F1 Driver Jack Doohan Was Subjected to ‘Serious Death Threats’ Requiring Armed Security in 2025
Jack Doohan revealed he received death threats during his rookie F1 season and needed armed security for 2025’s Miami Grand Prix. The Australian said he received the threats during his brief and rather unsuccessful stint driving for Alpine last year.
In August 2024, the Alpine team announced Doohan would replace Esteban Ocon in 2025. That’s pretty much where the good news ended for the Aussie.
In his first six F1 races for Alpine in 2025, the 23-year-old did not finish two of them and when he did he scored in 13th, 15th, 14th, and finally, 17th place in Miami. Alpine then replaced him in the seat with reserve driver, Franco Colapinto.
“I got serious death threats for this [Miami] Grand Prix, saying they’re going to kill me here, if I’m not out of the car,” Doohan revealed in the new season of the Netflix documentary series Drive to Survive, according to The Times. “I had six or seven emails saying if I am still in the car by Miami, all my limbs will be cut off.
“Wednesday, I was there with my f—— girlfriend and my trainer, and I’ve got three f—— men, like, armed men. I had to call my police escort to come and get it under control.”
He went on to add, “I wasn’t able to enjoy being a Formula 1 driver, something I dreamed of for so long. So yeah, it’s pretty s—.”
Jack Doohan’s former Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly also admitted on Drive to Survive that he felt bad because “everybody is talking about [Doohan] in a way that is quite toxic.”
Alpine and F1 respond to the threats against Jack Doohan
Alpine acknowledged in a statement provided to The Athletic that the team was “aware of the threats in question ahead of the Miami Grand Prix” and that concerted attempts were made with the event producer and the F1 organization.
The Alpine statement went on to say, “The team takes the safety and security of all employees, including drivers, very seriously at all events and it is of the utmost importance.”
An F1 spokesperson said in a statement, “Formula 1 is a family and a community that is based on respect and support for each other. There is no place for abusive behavior either online or in person and the whole sport stands united against anyone that attempts to undermine our values. As a community and will report anyone found to be acting in this way to the appropriate authorities and platforms.”
Alpine eventually let go of Jack Doohan at the end of the 2025 season. For 2026, he is currently serving as a reserve driver for the Haas F1 team.
