Ex-Formula One star Antonio Pizzonia has said he acted ‘instinctively’ to protect his son in his first comments since the karate kick assault on Saturday that ended in his arrest.
Footage of the moment he lashed out at another man with a flying kick to his victim’s back which he followed up with a punch began to emerge on social media overnight.
It was also published by Brazilian online news portal G1.
Pizzonia, who raced in F1 from 2003 to 2005, ended up in jail briefly following the Saturday night incident although he has now been released.
The assault happened at the Speedsportz Racing Park in Montgomery Country where the Brazilian watched his son Antonio Pizzonia Neto finish ninth in a junior race at the 2026 Superkarts! USA Winter Series.
The man assaulted is reported to have been arguing with the youngster, who he was seen wagging his finger at before being attacked, for reasons that have not yet been made clear.
Ex-Formula One driver Antonio Pizzonia was arrested for assault in Texas on Saturday night
The ex Jaguar and then Williams racer, who enjoyed success in motorsport after leaving F1, appeared out of nowhere and launched a karate-style high kick at his victim’s back after running towards him and swiftly followed it up with a right hook to his chin before the pair were separated.
Overnight in his first comments about the incident Pizzonia said in an Instagram post: ‘Everyone I’m okay and I’m back at home.
‘Indeed there was an incident to which today, I would have reacted in a different way.
‘I understood at that moment that my son, a child, was being coerced by an adult and instinctively I defended him.
‘Thank you to everyone for your messages of support.’
Pizzonia appeared out of nowhere and launched a karate-style high kick in the footage
The 45-year-old was in Montgomery County over the weekend to watch his son compete
Pizzonia had celebrated New Year with his family in Orlando, Florida.
His mugshot was released by Montgomery County Police following his arrest.
