'Next Fernando Alonso' confesses to murdering his father

16:35, 02 Nov

Updated: 17:52, 02 Nov

byOlly Darcy

Former Formula 3 talent Antolin Gonzalez, dubbed the next Fernando Alonso, faces a years-long prison sentence for confessing to the murder of his father, according to his lawyers.

"He had a psychotic episode when he saw his father with the machete. He had been estranged from his father for a year because of the divorce."

- Antolin Gonzalez's lawyers

At just 15 years old, Gonzalez had the chance to drive an F3 car as a result of his supreme talent, with former Formula 1 driver Pedro de la Rosa having also taken him under his wing. Local media at the time wrote that the young driver was on his way to Formula 1.

But it never happened, as Gonzalez lost his way due to a difficult family situation, and money obstacles he was unable to navigate through successfully.

Following his parents' divorce, his father was no longer allowed near his mother, and problems began to occur from then on, leading to a confrontation between the toung racer and his father.

At that moment, according to the lawyer of the now 23-year-old, speaking last week during the trial, Gonzalez entered a psychosis state and stabbed his father in the chest and neck. The father, a celebrated businessman, did not survive.

Antolin Gonzalez was dubbed the next Fernando Alonso, such was his talent in Formula 3 - Photo: Race Pictures

Gonzalez 'does not remember everything that happened'

Gonzalez's lawyer is not pursuing self-defence as a motive. Last week, he hoped for a plea deal that would reduce the prison sentence to around five years; otherwise, there would be a chance of a ten-year prison term.

“My client does not remember everything that happened in that warehouse," Gonzalez's lawyer told the Spanish website El Español.

"He had a psychotic episode when he saw his father with the machete. He had been estranged from his father for a year because of the divorce. Antolin went to speak with his father because he was tired of him fighting with his mother, and he just wanted to make things right.”

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“His father responded by telling him to grab his belongings—a backpack he had in the warehouse—and leave. They started arguing, and the father ultimately threatened Antolin with a machete, with which he tried to attack him.”

The Spaniard's mother still fully supports her son, saying that she is convinced she would have been killed if Gonzalez had not intervened.

The (possible) sentence for the former driver will be made clear soon.

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