Karting driver Luca Corberi, 23, crashed his kart at a race in Lonato, Italy, on Sunday. Rather than head back to the stands and put his feet up for the rest of the event, he grabbed his vehicle's detached bumper, headed back to the roadside, then hurled it at Paolo Ippolito, the opponent he blamed for putting him out the race. Later, at least two people attacked the same driver—a 16-year-old boy—in the paddock and had to be restrained.
2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button says one of the attackers was Corberi's father:
"Luca Corberi has just destroyed any chance he had at a racing career after his disgusting behavior today at the FIA Karting World champs," Button said. "His father owns the circuit and is seen power driving the guy into a wall. Life ban for both of these idiots please."
Corberi is being investigated by the FIA, karting's ruling body. He has already quit the sport in disgrace.
"I'd like to apologize to the motorsport community for what I've done," the 23-year-old said in a statement on social media."There are no excuses to explain why I've done such a disgraceful act, this has been something I've never done in my 15 years of career, and I really hope it won't be seen by anybody else in the future."
According to the FIA's latest standings chart for its KZ Karting championship, both drivers were officially disqualified.
No.22 Ippolito, Paolo : Disqualification for causing a collision (art 2.20 CIK-FIA 2020 General Prescriptions). According to Stewards' Decision No.233.
No.61 Corberi Luca : Disqualification from the Competition for (very) bad maneuvre – Appendix B of the FIA International Sporting Code. According to Stewards' Decision No.236.
"Disqualification from the Competition for (very) bad maneuvre"
