Australian Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan has disclosed receiving serious death threats ahead of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, his final race with Alpine. The threats, detailed in Netflix's Drive to Survive, prompted enhanced security measures including a police escort. Doohan was subsequently replaced by Franco Colapinto and has since joined Haas as a reserve driver.
Jack Doohan, the 23-year-old son of motorcycle legend Mick Doohan, faced intense pressure during his rookie Formula 1 season with Alpine in 2025. After debuting in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as a replacement for Esteban Ocon, Doohan struggled with results, including retirements in the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix, and finishes of 13th, 15th, 14th, and 17th before a DNF in Miami.
Rumors of his replacement by reserve driver Franco Colapinto, who had impressed at Williams in late 2024, intensified ahead of the May 2025 Miami event. In the latest season of Netflix's Drive to Survive, Doohan revealed the extent of the abuse: "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 described receiving six or seven emails threatening that "if I am still in the car by Miami, all my limbs will be cut off."
During the weekend, Doohan was accompanied by his girlfriend and trainer under heavy protection. "Wednesday, I was there with my f***ing girlfriend and my trainer, and I’ve got three armed men around me — I had to call my police escort to come and get it under control," he said. His teammate Pierre Gasly expressed sympathy in the episode, noting the toxic discussions surrounding Doohan.
Alpine confirmed awareness of the threats and coordinated with Formula 1 and event organizers to bolster security. An F1 spokesperson stated: "Formula 1 is a family and a community that is based on respect and support for each other. There is no place for abusive behaviour either online or in person and the whole sport stands united against anyone that attempts to undermine our values. As a community we will report anyone found to be acting in this way to the appropriate authorities and platforms."
Doohan was replaced by Colapinto after Miami, who averaged 15.8 finishes with a best of 11th in the Dutch Grand Prix but also failed to score points regularly. Doohan has since parted ways with Alpine and signed as reserve driver for Haas in 2026, supporting Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman. Reflecting on the ordeal, he told The Times: "I wasn’t able to enjoy being a Formula 1 driver, something I dreamt of for so long. So yeah, it’s pretty s***."
