Tarso Marques, a former Formula 1 driver, has been arrested in Brazil after allegedly being caught driving a luxury vehicle with significant unpaid debts.
Police in São Paulo confirmed that Marques, 49, was stopped in the early hours of Sunday while behind the wheel of a Lamborghini Gallardo without license plates. Authorities stated the car had an accumulated debt of 1.3 million Brazilian reals—roughly $365,000 AUD—prompting his arrest.
Marques’ legal team has not issued a public statement regarding the charges.
Best known for his time with Minardi in Formula 1, Marques competed in 24 Grand Prix races between 1996 and 2001. During the 2001 season, he raced alongside a then-rookie Fernando Alonso, and although neither driver scored championship points, Marques finished the season ahead of Alonso on countback with two ninth-place finishes.
Following his F1 career, Marques returned to Brazil and enjoyed success in stock car racing. He later ventured into television and design, remaining a public figure in Brazilian motorsports. His last known competitive race was in 2018.
In a 2023 interview, Marques spoke fondly of his former teammate Alonso, claiming the Spaniard was “better than Schumacher” and even “better than Senna,” high praise from a Brazilian racing veteran.
The current charges stem from his use of the unregistered Lamborghini, which authorities say is part of an ongoing investigation into potential vehicle-related financial crimes.
More updates are expected as the case unfolds.
