May 20, 2025: Australian Formula One driver Jack Doohan has appealed for an end to the online harassment directed at his family after a fake post surfaced on social media. The 22-year-old, who was dropped from the Alpine F1 team after just six races, expressed his frustration on Instagram, urging followers to stop the abuse.
Doohan’s plea followed the creation of a fake post, which appeared to show his father, Mick Doohan—former world motorcycle champion—making a controversial comment about the crash of fellow driver Franco Colapinto. The fake post painted Mick Doohan in a negative light, triggering a wave of online abuse towards the family.
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On Instagram, Jack Doohan shared a screenshot of the post, calling for it to stop, and asked followers to be mindful of the harm caused to his loved ones. He wrote, “Please stop harassing my family. I didn’t think I would have to get to this point.”
The post, which was widely circulated in Argentina, falsely claimed that Mick Doohan had commented “Very impressive” on a picture of Colapinto’s crash. Doohan’s frustration was compounded by the fact that the fabricated post had been picked up by multiple media outlets, further escalating the situation.
In support of Doohan, Alpine, his team, also issued a statement condemning the online abuse. The team reminded fans that drivers, despite their superhuman feats on the track, are still individuals with feelings and loved ones. “We encourage everyone to remember that behind the visor of these superhuman athletes there is a person, an individual with feelings, family, friends, and loved ones,” the statement read. “We cannot condone online abuse and urge all fans of this sport we love to be kind and respectful.”
Fellow Formula 1 rookie, Haas driver Bearman, also spoke out, calling Doohan’s treatment “unfair” and “incredibly harsh,” especially considering the challenges he faced as a new driver in a series of unfamiliar races.
Doohan is now a reserve driver for Alpine, and while his future in Formula 1 remains uncertain, his call for respect and kindness serves as a reminder of the human side of motorsport.