The dark side of F1: Jack Doohan opens up about death threats received during his Alpine stint

The pinnacle of motorsport has always been celebrated for its glamour and prestige, but Netflix's upcoming eighth season of Drive to Survive is peeling back a troubling layer of the sport: the vicious online abuse that plagued Jack Doohan's rookie F1 campaign. The Australian driver's harrowing revelations about receiving death threats during his time at Alpine serve as a stark reminder that behind the helmets and racing suits are vulnerable individuals who deserve protection from the toxicity festering on social media.

From dream to nightmare: Doohan's Alpine campaign unravels

Doohan signed with Alpine for the 2025 season brimming with optimism, ready to prove himself alongside established teammate Pierre Gasly. However, the emergence of Argentine prospect Franco Colapinto and speculation about his potential arrival created an untenable situation for the young driver. As pressure mounted and his seat came under scrutiny, Doohan found himself in the crosshairs of the fanbase.

The threats that shattered a dream

The situation reached a terrifying crescendo in the days leading to the Miami Grand Prix. "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 revealed in the docuseries. "I had six or seven emails saying if I am still in the car by Miami, all my limbs will be cut off."

The severity forced extraordinary measures. On Wednesday of race week, the 23-year-old found himself accompanied by three armed security personnel while his girlfriend and trainer looked on. "I had to call my police escort to come and get it under control," he recounted, visibly affected by the ordeal.

This wasn't merely heated fan commentary—it was tangible, premeditated violence. F1 itself acknowledged the situation, increasing Doohan's security protocols and reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance.

The aftermath and a path forward

Miami ultimately became Doohan's final race for Alpine, as he was dropped in favor of Colapinto. Though the decision had nothing to do with his on-track performance and everything to do with team politics, the psychological toll was evident.

However, there is a silver lining: Doohan secured a reserve driver position with Haas for the 2026 season, announced in early February. "It's the ideal place to continue my Formula 1 career," he expressed optimistically, signaling his determination to rebuild.

A sport at a crossroads

Doohan's story underscores a critical issue confronting Formula 1: the sport must do more to protect its athletes from online harassment. While the community showed solidarity through Alpine's supportive statement, systemic change is urgently needed. As F1 launches its United Against Online Abuse campaign, Doohan's courageous revelation in Drive to Survive may finally catalyze the cultural shift this sport desperately requires.