Jack Doohan was topic to a torrent of abuse throughout his transient spell racing in F1 for Alpine.
Jack Doohan obtained a torrent of abuse from Argentine followers throughout his transient spell on the F1 grid (Picture: Getty)
Former System 1 driver Jack Doohan revealed particulars of the torrent of abuse and the graphic loss of life threats he was despatched by sick trolls throughout his transient spell racing for Alpine final 12 months. Having made his debut within the last race of the 2024 marketing campaign, he was retained to drive alongside Pierre Gasly, however his place was beneath strain from the get-go.
That winter, Alpine had additionally signed Franco Colapinto following his nine-race stint with Williams the earlier season. The Argentina was employed as a reserve driver however it was clear that the group had been lining him up for a race seat, and a pointless begin to the season for Doohan solely elevated the strain on him.
The Aussie was ultimately changed after the Miami Grand Prix, simply the sixth spherical of the 2025 marketing campaign. However earlier than then, he had been focused by some supporters of Colapinto on-line who despatched him disgusting messages of abuse and even some graphic loss of life threats – all as a result of he was within the race seat that they needed to see the Argentine occupy as a substitute.
Talking on the most recent season of the Netflix present System 1: Drive to Survive, Doohan revealed that the disturbing messages had obtained to the purpose that private safety was employed for him. He stated: “I obtained critical loss of life threats for this [Miami] Grand Prix, saying they will kill me right here if I am not out of the automotive.
“I had six or seven emails saying if I’m nonetheless within the automotive by Miami, all my limbs can be lower off. I used to be there with my f***ing girlfriend and my coach, and I’ve obtained three f***ing armed males round me. I needed to name my police escort to return and get it beneath management.”
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And that led to an extra pile-on, prompting Doohan to reply with an announcement on social media, through which he stated: “The story… was fabricated by Argentine followers making an attempt to painting me and my household in a damaging gentle. Please cease harassing my household. I did not assume I must get up to now.”
Given the abuse and the fixed strain he was beneath throughout his transient spell, Doohan regrets that he “wasn’t in a position to get pleasure from being a System 1 driver, one thing I dreamt of for thus lengthy, which is fairly s**t”. He has now left Alpine to hitch Haas as their reserve driver for the 2026 season, with group principal Ayao Komatsu acknowledging that it is “apparent” that the Aussie desires to race once more in F1.
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