Jack Doohan: Alpine F1 driver target of threats with security tightened before Franco Colapinto handover
The fallout from Australian F1 star Jack Doohan's disastrous debut season has taken a dark turn as revelations surface that Team Alpine have had to implement private security for the youngster after continual threats.
As Alpine moved to elevate Franco Colapinto to replace Doohan after the Aussie suffered a puncture on lap one and another DNF in the Miami Grand Prix, serious concerns about personal security and genuine threat levels have been raised
F1 photographer Kym Illman has spoken to
GP Fans
and revealed Doohan's family and close friends were concerned for his safety.
Alpine confirmed that Doohan will be replaced by Franco Colapinto for the next five races at least by Colapinto, whose supporter base allegeedly took things into their own hands and made sovial media threats the beseiged driver.
Following Doohan's axing, Illman said via Instagram that the threats toward the Doohan had been received from a small minority of Colapinto's fanbase, and were serious enough for Alpine to employ extra security.
'He was receiving all sorts of threats online so much so that he had around-the-clock security in Miami and was planning on keeping that security for the Brazilian Grand Prix,' Illman said..
'It was plain to see by those close to the Aussie that those threats weighed heavily on him.
'People had discovered his personal email address and were sending email threats which resulted in Jack, his girlfriend and even his father holding real concerns for their safety in Miami and on top of that, Jack's sleep was affected.
'I'm certain Franco wouldn't be endorsing any of that behaviour from what is a minority of his fanbase.'
Doohan's departure also follows the news that Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has resigned from the team with immediate effect, and executive Flavio Briatore will step up to cover his duties.
On Doohan's demotion to reserve driver, Alpine said: 'As part of an on-going assessment of its driver line-up, the team has made the decision to rotate one of its race seats for the next five rounds of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship.
'BWT Alpine Formula One Team therefore announces that Franco Colapinto will be paired with Pierre Gasly from the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, ahead of a new evaluation before the British Grand Prix in July.
'Jack Doohan remains an integral part of the team and will be the first-choice Reserve Driver for this period of time.'
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