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Former Formula 1 driver Jack Doohan has revealed he received death threats and faced a confrontation with armed men during his brief tenure with Alpine, according to statements made in the latest season of Netflix’s “Drive To Survive” documentary series released Friday.
The Australian driver described receiving multiple threatening emails prior to last year’s Miami Grand Prix, warning that he would be killed if he remained in his race seat. “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 in the documentary. “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.”
Doohan also recounted a disturbing incident involving three “armed men” that required intervention from his police escort. The documentary did not provide specific details about how the situation was resolved, and Doohan did not identify who might have been behind the threats.
The revelation comes after Doohan’s short-lived Formula 1 career with Alpine came to an abrupt end following the Miami race in May 2025. After making his debut with the team at the conclusion of the 2024 season, Doohan competed in just six races before being replaced by Argentine driver Franco Colapinto.
At the time of his dismissal, Doohan took to social media to address online abuse directed at him and his family, suggesting that fans from Colapinto’s native Argentina were responsible for some of the harassment. The social media post highlighted the increasingly troubling issue of online abuse in motorsport, where driver changes and team decisions can spark intense reactions from passionate fan bases.
Neither Doohan nor Colapinto managed to score championship points during their time with Alpine last season, as the once-competitive French team struggled with performance issues and fell to last place in the constructors’ championship standings. This marked a significant decline for Alpine, which had previously enjoyed midfield success under its former identity as Renault.
Following his departure from Alpine, Doohan has taken on a reserve driver role with the Haas F1 team, keeping him connected to the sport while awaiting another opportunity for a race seat. The American-owned Haas team has been known to give opportunities to young drivers in recent years, potentially offering Doohan a path back to full-time competition.
The incident raises serious concerns about driver safety and the darker side of fan culture in Formula 1, which has experienced massive global growth following the success of Netflix’s documentary series. While the sport has benefited from an influx of new fans and increased commercial interest, the pressures placed on drivers and teams have intensified correspondingly.
Formula 1 and its governing body, the FIA, have previously implemented various initiatives to combat online abuse in the sport, but Doohan’s experience underscores the need for continued vigilance and potentially stronger measures to protect competitors.
The revelations also come at a time when driver mental health is receiving increased attention in motorsport, with several current and former drivers speaking openly about the psychological challenges they face both on and off the track.
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9 Comments
Receiving death threats and being confronted by armed men is an absolute outrage. I hope the authorities take this matter extremely seriously and do everything in their power to identify the perpetrators and ensure the safety of all participants.
Agreed, this is completely unacceptable. The organizers and officials need to prioritize driver safety and implement robust security measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.
This is a deeply troubling development. Doohan should never have had to face such threats and dangers just for doing his job. I hope the investigation leads to the identification and punishment of those responsible, and that stronger safety protocols are put in place going forward.
It’s disturbing to hear about the threats and confrontation Doohan faced. No driver should have to deal with that kind of danger. I hope the investigation uncovers the full truth and that steps are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
This is a shocking revelation. Receiving death threats and being confronted by armed men is completely unacceptable. I hope the authorities get to the bottom of this and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
This is a disturbing situation for any driver to face. Death threats and confrontations with armed men are extremely serious and unacceptable. I hope the authorities thoroughly investigate this incident and ensure Doohan’s safety going forward.
It’s concerning to hear about the threats Doohan faced from anonymous sources. Drivers should be able to compete without fearing for their lives. I hope the team and officials provide proper security and support for all participants in the future.
Absolutely. The safety and wellbeing of the drivers should be the top priority. Hopefully this incident leads to tighter security measures and protocols to protect them.
This is a very serious situation that deserves a thorough investigation. Drivers should be able to focus on racing without fearing for their safety. I hope the authorities get to the bottom of this and ensure Doohan’s wellbeing is protected.