Australian Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan has publicly detailed the terrifying extent of online abuse and death threats he endured during his short-lived stint with the Alpine team last year. The 23-year-old, who made his debut late in 2024, faced a nightmare scenario that culminated in his final race, revealing a dark side of the sport.
Alpine's Driver Shake-up and Mounting Pressure
Doohan's full-time drive for 2025 quickly derailed after Alpine supremo Flavio Briatore secured rising star Franco Colapinto from Williams. Colapinto's arrival as reserve driver immediately placed intense pressure on Doohan, setting the stage for a tumultuous season.
The Australian struggled from the outset, crashing out of the season opener at a wet Australian Grand Prix and failing to score points in subsequent races. After a crash in China and continued poor performances, Doohan was ultimately replaced by Colapinto following the Miami Grand Prix in May.
Horrific Death Threats and Armed Protection
In a revealing interview featured in the latest Drive to Survive series, Doohan disclosed the shocking threats that overshadowed his Miami race weekend. "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 stated.
He received six or seven emails containing explicit threats, including one that warned: "If I am still in the car by Miami, all my limbs will be cut off." The severity of these threats necessitated extreme security measures.
Doohan, along with his girlfriend and trainer, was provided with a police escort and armed protection throughout the race weekend. "Wednesday, I was there with my girlfriend and my trainer, and I've got three armed men around me," he recounted. "I had to call my police escort to come and get it under control."
Dream Turned Nightmare
The son of Australian motorcycle legend Mick Doohan expressed profound disappointment that the experience tarnished his Formula 1 dream. "I wasn't able to enjoy being a Formula 1 driver, something I dreamt of for so long," Doohan lamented. "So yeah, it's pretty terrible."
Briatore's Controversial Management Style
In a separate Drive to Survive interview, Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore made controversial remarks about his management approach. Quoted by The Times, Briatore stated he "still enjoys firing people if the people are not doing their job."
He added: "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." These comments highlight the high-pressure environment within the team during Doohan's tenure.
Aftermath and Future Prospects
Colapinto's promotion after Miami was initially presented as a trial period to evaluate whether he or Doohan should complete the season, though Briatore later denied this characterization. Colapinto struggled to score points alongside veteran Pierre Gasly, achieving an average finish of 15.8 with a best result of 11th at the Dutch Grand Prix. He has been retained for 2026 alongside Gasly.
Doohan has since secured a release from Alpine and joined Haas as a reserve driver for 2025. He is positioned to substitute for Haas drivers Ollie Bearman or Esteban Ocon if needed this year. While missing out on a Super Formula drive in Japan, Doohan appears set to return to racing in sportscars, seeking a fresh start away from the trauma of his Alpine experience.
