There are many negative emotions that Jack Doohan must be experiencing these days, but one we hadn’t anticipated is the fear caused by the hostility of Franco Colapinto’s fans. Franco will replace the Australian driver starting from the Imola Grand Prix. This decision had been in the air after Jack’s first race weekend, but some of Franco Colapinto’s fans went too far. In an attempt to support their compatriot, they put Jack Doohan in danger. This all happened even before the official announcement, but let’s understand better what happened.
It was Kym Illman, a Formula 1 photographer, who explained the situation that Jack Doohan has been living through in recent weeks. He has had to face more than just the demotion in favor of Franco Colapinto. In 2024, the Argentine fans had already been very present: every weekend there was a large number of Argentine flags.
This time, however, the support went too far. In the past few weeks, Jack Doohan received threats from some fans of the contender for the seat. These, however, were not limited to social media. It seems that some fans managed to find Jack Doohan’s email address and used it to send him threatening messages, causing a lot of concern for the Australian driver and his family.
During the Miami Grand Prix, Jack Doohan decided to hire a bodyguard to ensure a higher level of security. He may choose to do so again if he appears in Brazil toward the final stages of the championship. Argentinians are very present at the Interlagos circuit, and Doohan could face some difficulties there.
Kym Illman first emphasized how the decision to have a bodyguard indicates serious concern. This is because, on the current grid, only the two Ferrari and McLaren drivers are consistently followed by a team that handles their security.
Finally, the photographer concluded by pointing out that Franco Colapinto is not at fault for what is happening. “I’m sure Franco doesn’t share this kind of behavior, which comes from a minority of his fanbase.”
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