Jos Verstappen, the father of Red Bull driver Max, was arrested following a fight in Holland.
Dutch police confirmed to that the former Benneton and Minardi driver had been arrested after refusing to leave in the wake of a fight.
A spokesman added that Jos Verstappen had been "set free" later in the same evening.
Jos Verstappen made the podium twice during a Formula 1 career which spanned nine years, with 19-year-old son Max having already made seven.