Former F1 Driver Pizzonia Arrested in Texas Assault Case

Former Formula One driver Antonio Pizzonia was arrested on assault charges in Texas on Saturday after an altercation at a go-kart racing event where he was supporting his son.

The 45-year-old Brazilian racer was booked into a Montgomery County jail around 6 p.m. local time following the incident at Speedsportz Racing Park near Houston. Authorities released him shortly afterward, and Pizzonia returned home. He addressed the matter in an Instagram post on Monday, expressing regret while explaining his actions as an instinctive defense of his child.

Pizzonia had traveled to the venue for the 2026 Superkarts! USA Winter Series, where his son, Antonio Pizzonia Neto, competed in the X30 Junior race and finished ninth. Video footage circulating on social media captured the confrontation: an adult man appeared to be scolding a young driver when Pizzonia approached from behind, delivering a kick to the man's back followed by a punch. He struck the individual again before walking away and briefly arguing with other adults present.

In his social media statement, Pizzonia 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...