Formula 1 logo. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Ex-Formula 1 Driver Arrested For Assault In Texas

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated Jan 13, 2026 6:18 PM ET

Formula 1 has had its “fair” share of drivers who have broken the law. Starting with Jos Verstappen, father of four-time world champion Max Verstappen (another driver with a controversial story), who raced from 1994 through 2001, and was accused of assault on multiple occasions.

Adrian Sutil, Jean Alesi and JJ Lehto were also in trouble with the law at some point. At the same time, this isn’t a trend; however, occasionally, more drivers become involved in these controversies.

The latest case included a 45-year-old driver who spent a couple of seasons in the category, although he never scored a single point during his experience at the highest level.

Former Formula 1 Driver Antonio Pizzonia Arrested In Texas

Nov 23, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; McLaren Team driver Oscar Piastri (81) leads Haas F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg (27) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

TMZ Sports reported on Tuesday that Antonio Pizzonia, a former Formula 1 driver, was arrested for assault over the weekend. The details about the incident remain undisclosed. However, officials took him to jail in Texas around 6 p.m. on Saturday.

“It appears Pizzonia was at the Speedsportz Racing Park for the 2026 Superkarts! USA Winter Series on Saturday, where his son was a competitor. Antonio Pizzonia Neto finished ninth in the X30 Junior race the same day his pops wound up in jail,” the outlet reported.

Pizzonia drove in Formula 1 from 2003 through 2005 (when Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher still dominated the competition). He first suited up for Jaguar, but the lack of results (zero points) forced the team to replace him. He then joined Williams, where he scored just eight points in two seasons.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: