Black Box from Diogo Jota’s Car Reveals Brake Failure: Malfunction or Foul Play?

The tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, has taken a dramatic turn with the release of new findings from the vehicle’s black box. According to a report from Spain’s Guardia Civil, obtained by Marca on August 5, 2025, the black box data indicates that Jota, who was driving the Lamborghini Huracan, pressed the brake pedal 17 times in the final six seconds before the crash, yet the car did not slow down. This revelation has intensified speculation about whether the crash was caused by a mechanical malfunction or if something—or someone—else interfered with the vehicle’s controls. Combined with the cryptic note Jota left under his children’s nursery floorboards and the 17 unanswered calls from Dr. Elena Marquez, a physiotherapist with no prior known connection to Jota, the case has deepened into a mystery that has gripped the football world and beyond.

The Black Box Evidence

The black box, a data recorder installed in high-performance vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracan, captures critical information such as speed, throttle input, steering angle, and brake application. The Guardia Civil’s analysis, as reported by Marca, shows that Jota applied the brakes repeatedly—17 times in six seconds—as the car approached kilometer 65 of the A-52 motorway near Cernadilla, Zamora, Spain. Despite these efforts, the vehicle, traveling at an estimated speed of 180–200 km/h (112–124 mph), did not decelerate. Moments later, a rear tyre blowout caused the car to veer off the road, crash into the central reservation, and burst into flames, killing both Jota, 28, and Silva, 25.

Investigators initially pointed to the tyre blowout and possible speeding as the primary causes, with preliminary reports suggesting Jota was driving above the 120 km/h (74 mph) speed limit. However, the black box data shifts the focus to the brakes, raising questions about why they failed to respond. The report notes no evidence of brake system engagement, such as reduced wheel speed or hydraulic pressure, despite Jota’s repeated attempts. This has led to two primary theories: a catastrophic brake system malfunction or external interference with the vehicle’s controls.

Was It a Malfunction?

The Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder, valued at approximately £180,000, is equipped with advanced carbon-ceramic brakes designed for high-performance driving. A mechanical failure of this magnitude is rare but not impossible. Experts consulted by La Opinión de Zamora suggest potential causes could include:

Brake Fluid Loss: A leak in the hydraulic system could prevent pressure from reaching the brake calipers, rendering the pedal ineffective. However, no pre-crash fluid leaks were noted in the wreckage analysis.
Electronic Brake Failure: Modern supercars rely on electronic brake-by-wire systems, which could fail due to a software glitch or electrical fault. The black box did not indicate error codes, but the fire’s intensity may have damaged critical components, complicating diagnostics.
Overheating: Prolonged high-speed driving could overheat the brakes, leading to brake fade. However, the A-52’s relatively straight stretch and Jota’s short journey from Porto make this less likely.

Spanish investigators are collaborating with Lamborghini engineers to examine the wreckage, though the fire’s severity—described as “almost completely destroying the car”—has hindered efforts to recover physical evidence. A full mechanical report is expected to take weeks, as forensic teams analyze the brake system remnants and cross-reference black box data with skid marks, which extend 100 meters from the crash site.

Two truck drivers who witnessed the crash, José Aleixo Duarte and José Azevedo, have disputed claims of excessive speed, asserting the car was traveling at a “moderate” pace on a poorly maintained road known for potholes and prior accidents. Their accounts align with a local government official’s statement citing the tyre blowout as central, potentially exacerbated by road conditions. If the brakes were non-functional, even a moderate speed could have been catastrophic during an overtaking maneuver.

Could Something Else Have Taken Over the Controls?

The chilling handwritten note Jota left under his children’s nursery floorboards, dated June 19, 2025, and revealed by his widow, Rute Cardoso, on August 3, has fueled speculation of foul play. The note’s final sentence, “If anything happens to me, tell them it wasn’t an accident because…”, was left incomplete, prompting questions about whether Jota suspected interference. The black box’s brake failure evidence has led some to theorize that the car’s controls may have been compromised, either through sabotage or remote manipulation.

Sabotage: Deliberate tampering with the brake system, such as cutting brake lines or disabling the electronic control unit, could explain the failure. However, no evidence of pre-crash tampering has been reported, and the car’s secure storage in Porto prior to the trip reduces this likelihood.
Cyber Interference: Modern vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracan use networked systems vulnerable to hacking. A 2015 study by researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek demonstrated that cars with connected systems could be remotely compromised, affecting brakes and steering. While theoretical, such an attack would require sophisticated access to the car’s CAN bus system, and no evidence of hacking has been found. The fire’s destruction of onboard electronics makes this difficult to verify.
External Factors: The 17 calls from Dr. Elena Marquez, a physiotherapist who met Jota three days prior at a Zamora clinic, add another layer of intrigue. Marquez claims she called to warn Jota about hazardous road conditions, but the volume and timing of her calls—between 10:47 p.m. and 12:28 a.m.—have raised suspicions. Her lack of prior connection to Jota and the proximity of her clinic to the crash site have led some X users to speculate about her involvement, though no concrete evidence supports this.

The Marquez Connection and Public Sentiment

Marquez’s 17 calls, coinciding with the 17 brake attempts recorded by the black box, have sparked widespread discussion on X, with users noting the “eerie” numerical parallel. Some posts suggest Marquez’s calls could have distracted Jota, though phone records confirm he did not answer. Others question whether her warnings about the A-52’s condition were genuine, given the road’s documented history of accidents, including a near-fatal crash at the same location eight days prior. Marquez’s claim that she obtained Jota’s number from a clinic form is under investigation, as is her assertion of a purely professional interaction.

Public sentiment, particularly among Liverpool fans, is a mix of grief and frustration. Tributes continue to pour in at Anfield, where Jota’s number 20 shirt has been retired. Fans on X have called for transparency, with some demanding a deeper probe into the brake failure and Marquez’s role. Liverpool FC issued a statement on August 6, 2025, reiterating support for Cardoso and her three children, while urging respect for the ongoing investigation.

What’s Next?

The Guardia Civil’s final report, expected to be submitted to the Puebla de Sanabria court, will include a detailed analysis of the black box, brake system, and tyre blowout. Investigators are also reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing Marquez and the truck drivers to reconstruct the timeline. Until then, the brake failure remains a critical unanswered question. Was it a tragic mechanical fault in a high-performance vehicle, or does Jota’s note hint at a darker truth? For now, the football world mourns, and Cardoso, left to raise three young children, continues her search for answers, vowing to honor her husband’s legacy.