A Spanish former racing driver once considered a future Formula One prospect has confessed to fatally stabbing his father during a confrontation in July, claiming self-defence after his father allegedly threatened him with a machete.

23-year-old Antolin Gonzalez Jr appeared in court this week where he admitted to killing his father, who shared the same name, at their family’s industrial premises in Aranda de Duero, close to Burgos, on 5 July.

The ex-karting champion maintains the death was accidental, telling investigators his 56-year-old father initially wielded a machete-type blade measuring up to 15 centimetres before a struggle ensued that resulted in the fatal neck wound.

Following the altercation, Gonzalez Jr fled the warehouse and was apprehended several hours later in Sinovas, a neighbouring town, according to Spanish media outlet La Sexta.

Antolin Gonzalez Jr has admitted he killed his father in altercation but claims it was self-defence

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Emergency responders found the elder Gonzalez, a local entrepreneur, still breathing when they reached the scene, though he died shortly afterwards.

The younger Gonzalez has since assisted authorities, directing police to the Banuelos River banks where he claimed to have discarded both the weapon and a sports bag.

Whilst investigators successfully retrieved the bag, the knife has yet to be located despite search efforts.

Gonzalez Jr emerged as one of Spain’s most promising motorsport talents during his youth, setting a karting circuit record aged just eight and becoming the youngest person to test a Formula 3 vehicle at thirteen.

His racing career progressed through Spanish Formula 4, Formula Masters China and the Asian Formula Renault championship, where he secured second place in 2018.

Antolin Gonzalez Jr was a star in Spanish racing

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The young driver attracted comparisons to double world champion Fernando Alonso during his ascent through junior categories.

However, his trajectory towards Formula One faltered as financial constraints reportedly prevented further advancement, ending what many considered a highly promising career in professional motorsport.

The accused is currently pursuing negotiations for a reduced sentence through a plea agreement, with proceedings ongoing in the Spanish judicial system.

His legal strategy centres on the self-defence claim, maintaining that the fatal stabbing occurred accidentally whilst defending himself against his father’s alleged machete attack.

Antolin Gonzalez Jr was a rising star in the motorsport world, until finances began to run out

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The case has drawn significant attention in Spain, where Gonzalez Jr was once celebrated as a future star of international motorsport before financial difficulties derailed his promising career.

The trial continues as prosecutors examine the circumstances surrounding the warehouse confrontation that ended with the death of the 56-year-old businessman at the hands of his son.