Former driver Antonio Pizzonia was arrested after aiming a karate kick at an grownup on Saturday within the .
Pizzonia, 45, acknowledged his mistake on Instagram after lashing out at a person within the paddock of a junior race on the Speedsportz Racing Park in New Caney, Texas.
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Footage exhibits Pizzonia aiming a flying kick to the again of a person, who was wagging his finger at Pizzonia’s son, earlier than following it up with a punch. The pair have been then separated.
Pizzonia, who raced in F1 for Jaguar and from 2003-2005, was arrested and ended up in a Texas jail, however has since been launched.
On Monday, he launched an announcement on Instagram detailing that his baby was “being coerced by one other grownup” and he “instinctively defended him.”
“Everybody, I am okay and I am again at house,” Pizzonia stated. “Certainly, there was an incident to which at this time, I’d have reacted another way.
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“I understood at that second that my son, a toddler, was being coerced by an grownup and instinctively I defended him.
Pizzonia’s mugshot was launched following his arrest (Montgomery County Police)
“Thanks to everybody on your messages of help.”
Pizzonia’s mugshot was launched by Montgomery County Police following his arrest. Pizzonia’s son, Antonio Pizzonia Neto, completed ninth within the junior race on the 2026 Superkarts! USA Winter Collection.
Pizzonia’s most notable F1 highlights got here whereas driving for Williams. In 2004, he deputised for the injured Ralf Schumacher and completed seventh on three events – in Germany, Hungary and Monza – out of the 4 races he participated in.
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A 12 months later, the Brazilian changed Nick Heidfeld on the finish of the 2025 season for 5 races, once more ending seventh in Monza and in addition competing at his house race in Interlagos, the place he collided with teammate Mark Webber.
Pizzonia would go on to have an illustrious profession in Brazilian inventory automobile racing. He additionally competed in IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship.
