Antonio Pizzonia, a former Brazilian F1 driver arrested last Saturday (10), in the United States, for assault causing bodily harm, stated this Tuesday (13) that he acted to defend his son.
“Guys, I’m fine. I’m at home. In fact, there was an episode 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 the messages of support,” Pizzonia wrote in a post on social media.
According to information from the TMZ portal, Pizzonia was taken away by police officers after an incident that occurred at the Speedsportz Racing Park, in Montgomery County, Texas, where a stage of the Superkarts USA Winter Series was taking place, a kart competition in which the former driver’s son was participating.
In Texas, assault causing bodily harm can carry a sentence of up to one year in prison. State law also provides for the possibility of a fine, which cannot exceed US$4,000 (R$21,500) or even a combined punishment, with imprisonment and a fine.
Born in Manaus, Pizzonia arrived in F1 in 2003, when he was hired by the extinct Jaguar team. The following year, he played for Williams. In total, he competed in 20 races in the category. The Brazilian’s best position was seventh place, in four different races for the English team.
Throughout his racing career, he also competed in Formula Vauxahall, Formula Renautl and Stock Car.
