Former F1 driver Antonio Pizzonia arrested after altercation at son's karting event

Former Formula 1 driver Antonio Pizzonia was arrested in Texas over the weekend following a physical altercation at a karting event involving his son. The 45-year-old Brazilian, who raced for Jaguar and Williams in the mid-2000s, was briefly detained but has since been released.

Why it matters:

This incident underscores the intense emotional environment surrounding junior motorsports, where parental involvement can sometimes boil over. For Pizzonia, a former grand prix driver who has largely stayed out of the F1 spotlight since his retirement, the event brings sudden, unwanted attention and raises questions about conduct at amateur racing events.

The details:

• The Incident: The confrontation took place at Speedsportz Racing Park during the 2026 Superkarts! USA Winter Series. Footage circulating on social media shows Pizzonia sprinting from behind to launch a flying kick at a man, followed by a punch.
• The Trigger: Reports indicate the victim was arguing with Pizzonia’s young son, Antonio Pizzonia Neto, shortly after the child finished ninth in a junior race.
• Public Statement: Pizzonia took to Instagram to address the situation, confirming he is back home. While acknowledging he might handle things differently with hindsight, he defended his actions as an instinctive response to an adult "coercing" his child.
• Legal Outcome: Local authorities booked Pizzonia on Saturday. He has been released, but the specifics of the assault charge and any future legal proceedings have not yet been made public.

Looking Ahead:

As the legal process unfolds, the focus will likely remain on the boundaries of parental defense in sporting environments. Pizzonia, who was Mark Webber's teammate at Jaguar, has continued his career in series like Auto GP and BOSS GP. His current focus remains on supporting his son’s development in karting, though this incident may cast a shadow over their racing activities for the foreseeable future.