Spanish authorities have apprehended former Formula 1 driver Tarso Marques following serious allegations of a stalking campaign directed at Aston Martin star and two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso.
The 48-year-old Brazilian racing driver was arrested near Alonso's residence in Oviedo, located in the northern Spanish region of Asturias. Police reports indicate Marques had travelled from Brazil specifically with the intent to locate and approach the Spanish F1 hero.
Sustained Harassment Allegations
Investigators detail a pattern of disturbing behaviour spanning several months. Marques is alleged to have made repeated, unwelcome attempts to contact Alonso and gain access to his private property.
Most alarmingly, he is accused of turning up uninvited at the gates of Alonso's home on multiple occasions. The situation escalated to the point where the former Minardi driver allegedly attempted to scale a fence to gain entry to the Formula 1 star's estate, prompting the intervention of private security personnel.
Police Intervention and Charges
Local law enforcement, the Policia Nacional, confirmed the arrest. A spokesperson stated that Marques was taken into custody on charges related to stalking and harassment following a comprehensive investigation into his activities.
The arrest warrant was executed as Marques was believed to be in the vicinity of Alonso's home once again, continuing the pattern of behaviour that had caused significant concern for the Alonso family and their security team.
A Brief F1 History
Tarso Marques and Fernando Alonso are not strangers; their careers intersected briefly in the early 2000s. Marques competed in 26 Grands Prix for the Minardi team between 1996 and 2001, a period during which a young Alonso was also cutting his teeth at the same outfit before his meteoric rise to stardom with Renault.
This shared history appears to have formed the basis of the unwanted contact, though police have not commented on a specific motive for the alleged stalking. Marques has since been released by the courts pending further investigation and a future trial, with conditions likely imposed to prevent any contact with Alonso.
