Tarso Marques, Fernando Alonso's first Formula 1 teammate, was arrested in Brazil over the illegal possession of a luxury car, a Lamborghini Gallardo, burdened with significant debt.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing financial and legal struggles of the former F1 driver, bringing a somber note to a career that once saw him compete at motorsport's highest level.
The details
- Marques, 49, was apprehended in São Paulo while driving a Lamborghini Gallardo without license plates.
- A routine check by authorities revealed the vehicle carried debts totaling approximately €240,000 (1.3 million Brazilian Reais).
- The Washington Post reported on the arrest.
His F1 career
- Marques was Fernando Alonso's teammate at Minardi in the 2001 Formula 1 season.
- Both were rookies at the time, and despite neither scoring points, Marques finished ahead of Alonso in the championship standings.
- His best results were two ninth-place finishes in Brazil and Canada, while Alonso's best was a tenth in Germany.
- After losing his full-time seat, Marques became a test driver for Minardi in 2002 before transitioning to Brazilian Stock Car racing, where he competed until 2018.
What's next
This latest incident is not Marques' first brush with controversy; he has been involved in several financial and legal disputes in recent years. The arrest underscores a bitter chapter for the former F1 driver, drawing headlines for scandal rather than motorsport achievements.