Ex-Formula 1 driver gets arrested in the US for assault at son's go-kart event

16:02, 13 Jan

byKada Sarkozi

Former Formula 1 driver Antonio Pizzonia was arrested in the United States at his son's go-kart event. The Brazilian gave his explanation for the incident on social media.

"I understood at that moment that my son, a child, was being coerced by an adult and instinctively I defended him."

- Antonio Pizzonia

Pizzonia was arrested on Saturday in Texas for assault, TMZ Sports first reported, but the Brazilian has since been released.

The former Formula 1 driver was at the 2026 Superkarts! USA Winter Series, supporting his son, Antonio Pizzonia Neto.

A video of the incident shows Pizzonia kicking another man in the back.

In an Instagram post, the Brazilian wrote: "Everyone, I'm okay and I'm back at home.

"Indeed, there was an incident to which today, I would have reacted in a different way.

"I understood at that moment that my son, a child, was being coerced by an adult and instinctively I defended him.

"Thank you to everyone for your messages of support."

Pizzonia began his Formula 1 career in 2003 with Jaguar, but was replaced after the British Grand Prix.

He later competed in nine Grands Prix for BMW Williams across the 2004 and 2005 seasons as a replacement driver himself.

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