Australian Formula One driver Jack Doohan has publicly revealed a harrowing ordeal of receiving vicious death threats that culminated in him being assigned armed security personnel for his protection during a Grand Prix event. The distressing incident occurred last season while Doohan was competing for the Alpine team, casting a dark shadow over his debut in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Chilling Threats Before the Miami Grand Prix
The threats specifically targeted the Miami Grand Prix in May of last year, with Doohan detailing the alarming messages in a candid interview for Netflix's acclaimed F1 documentary series, Drive to Survive. He recounted receiving multiple emails that contained explicit threats to his life and physical safety.
"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. "I had six or seven emails saying if I am still in the car by Miami, all my limbs will be cut off."
Escalation to Armed Protection
The severity of the threats prompted immediate security measures. Doohan was provided with a team of armed guards and a police escort at the Miami race, where he was accompanied by his girlfriend, Ebony Zippora Gold, and his personal trainer. This unprecedented level of security underscored the genuine fear for his safety.
"I was there with my 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 added, highlighting the stressful and surreal nature of the situation.
Online Harassment and Family Targeting
The harassment did not cease after the Miami event. In the weeks following the race, Doohan took to social media to plead with online trolls to stop targeting his family. This campaign of abuse was believed to have been fueled by social media users from Argentina, adding an international dimension to the attacks.
A key element of the online assault involved a Formula 1 parody account known as 'formulafakers'. This account fabricated a fake Instagram post, falsely attributed to Doohan's father, former MotoGP world champion Mick Doohan. The post featured a doctored image of Franco Colapinto's crashed Alpine car with a mocking caption that read: "Very impressive" alongside laughing emojis.
Media Misreporting and Fallout
Several Argentinian media outlets erroneously reported the fake post as genuine, leading to a torrent of abuse directed at Doohan and his family. This misinformation exacerbated the situation, contributing to the hostile environment that necessitated the extreme security measures.
Doohan expressed how the ordeal profoundly impacted his experience as a Formula One driver, a dream he had pursued for years. "I wasn't able to enjoy being a Formula 1 driver, something I dreamt of for so long. So yeah, it's pretty bad," he lamented, reflecting on the emotional toll.
Career Context and Recent Developments
Prior to these events, Doohan's performance in the first six races of the season had been challenging, as he failed to secure any championship points. Following the Miami Grand Prix, he was demoted to a reserve position at Alpine, with Franco Colapinto, an Argentine driver who had previously served as the team's test and reserve driver, taking his place.
Doohan eventually parted ways with Alpine last month, but he has since made a comeback to Formula One. Earlier this month, he announced that he has joined the Haas F1 Team as a reserve driver for the 2026 season, marking a new chapter in his racing career amidst the backdrop of these traumatic experiences.
The revelations from Doohan shed light on the darker side of professional sports, where athletes can face severe personal threats that extend beyond the track, impacting their safety, mental well-being, and ability to perform at the highest level.
