![Antonio Pizzonia [pictured in 2009] was arrested in Texas](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Antonio-Pizzonia.webp)
Former Formula 1 driver Antonio Pizzonia has taken to social media after being arrested in Texas after an altercation at a go kart track.
The Brazilian was booked by police for an apparent Class A misdemeanour charge of Assault causing Bodily Injury following an incident at Speedsportz Racing Park.
His son, Antonio Jr, was competing in the ‘Superkarts! USA Winter Series’ at the circuit, when the incident occurred.
Brazilian outlet Globo posted a video in which a man, purported to be Pizzonia, aims a kick and a punch at another individual.
After being released on bail, the 45-year-old took to his X account to provide an update and thank well-wishers.
Vídeo mostra ex-piloto de Fórmula 1 Antônio Pizzonia agredindo homem nos EUA pic.twitter.com/Bsr7dkg4vN
— Portal Em Tempo (@portalemtempo) January 13, 2026
“Everyone, I’m fine,” he wrote.
“I’m at home. In fact, there was an incident to which, today, I would have reacted differently.
“I understood at that moment that my son, a child, was being coerced by another adult, and I instinctively defended him.
“Thank you all for your messages of support.”
Pizzonia made his F1 debut in 2003 with the Jaguar Racing team, alongside Mark Webber, but was fired after 11 races and replaced by the late Justin Wilson.
Having already been hired by Williams, Pizzonia returned to the Grove-based squad a year later and made four appearances in place of Ralf Schumacher, who was absent through injury.
In 2005, Pizzonia made another cameo for Williams under similar circumstances, replacing an injured Nick Heidfeld, and competed in the final five races of the season.
Across the two spells, Pizzonia scored four seventh-place finishes, before stints in other series including Champcar and Superleague Formula.
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