NEVER BEFORE SEEN: Jota’s Lamborghini Left a 71-Metre Skid Mark — Why Experts Say That Number Changes Everything
On July 3, 2025, a fiery crash on Spain’s A-52 motorway claimed the lives of Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, leaving the football world in mourning. The brothers were traveling in a Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder when a suspected tire blowout caused the vehicle to veer off the road, flip, and burst into flames. Newly released details from the Spanish Guardia Civil reveal a critical piece of evidence: a 71-metre skid mark left by the supercar at the crash site near Cernadilla, Zamora. Measuring more than half the length of a football pitch, this skid mark has raised eyebrows among crash investigators and automotive experts, who argue it suggests something more than a simple tire failure may have contributed to the tragedy. As one expert put it, “It shouldn’t have happened… unless something else failed.”
The Crash: A Devastating Sequence
The accident occurred around 12:30 a.m. as Diogo, 28, and André, 25, were driving from their hometown of Gondomar, Portugal, to Santander, Spain, to catch a ferry to the UK. Diogo, advised against flying due to a recent minor lung surgery, opted to drive his Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder, a supercar capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds. CCTV footage captured the vehicle reaching 100 km/h in under 3.4 seconds while overtaking another vehicle, showcasing its raw power moments before disaster struck.
According to preliminary reports, a rear tire blowout caused the driver—whose identity remains unconfirmed—to lose control. The car veered off the A-52, smashed through a guardrail, flipped multiple times, and erupted into a fireball, scattering debris and igniting nearby vegetation. Both brothers perished at the scene, with André’s reported scream haunting early accounts of the wreckage. While initial investigations pointed to the tire blowout as the primary cause, the discovery of a 71-metre skid mark has shifted the focus, prompting experts to question the official narrative.
The 71-Metre Skid Mark: A Game-Changer
The skid mark, stretching 71 metres along the A-52, is an extraordinary piece of evidence. For context, a standard football pitch is 105 metres long, meaning the Lamborghini’s tires left a mark equivalent to more than two-thirds of that distance. Spanish authorities confirmed the skid mark began in the right lane, veering toward the safety grass patch where the car ultimately left the road. This finding, first reported by local media and corroborated by posts on X, has sparked intense debate among crash reconstruction experts.
Dr. Maria Alvarez, a forensic engineer specializing in automotive accidents, explained the significance: “A 71-metre skid mark at high speed indicates a prolonged loss of control. For a vehicle like the Huracán, equipped with advanced electronic stability control (ESC) and high-performance tires, such a long skid suggests either extreme speed, a catastrophic mechanical failure beyond the tire, or an external factor.” She noted that a typical tire blowout at high speed might produce a shorter skid if the driver reacts promptly, as the ESC should help stabilize the vehicle. “Seventy-one metres is exceptional. It shouldn’t have happened unless something else failed,” Alvarez added.
Posts on X have echoed this skepticism, with one user noting, “The skid mark starts on the right lane already. There is nothing to crash into there, in a designed safety grass patch”. This observation aligns with expert concerns that the skid’s length and trajectory may point to additional factors, such as a failure in the car’s suspension, steering, or braking systems, or even an external road hazard not yet identified.
What the Experts Are Saying
Crash investigators are analyzing several possibilities to explain the skid mark’s length. The Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder is equipped with Pirelli P Zero tires, designed for high-speed stability, and an advanced ESC system that adjusts power distribution to maintain control. However, a tire blowout at speeds potentially exceeding 200 km/h—plausible given the CCTV footage—could overwhelm these systems. Dr. Klaus Weber, head of automotive safety at Germany’s TÜV Süd, explained, “At extreme speeds, a blowout can cause a rapid yaw, where the car rotates uncontrollably. The 71-metre skid suggests the driver fought to regain control, but the forces were too great.”
Another theory focuses on potential mechanical defects. The Huracán Evo Spyder was subject to a 2024 recall for a defective crash safety bracket, though no evidence currently links this to the crash. Investigators are also examining the vehicle’s black box data, which records speed, throttle position, and system performance, to determine if a fault in the car’s electronics or suspension contributed. “If the ESC malfunctioned or a steering component failed, it could explain the prolonged skid,” said Alvarez. The skid mark’s length could also indicate the tire blowout was not instantaneous but rather a gradual failure, giving the driver time to react but not enough to recover.
Road conditions are another factor under scrutiny. The A-52 is a well-maintained motorway, but posts on X have speculated about possible debris or uneven pavement, though no official reports confirm this. The Guardia Civil has stated no other vehicles were involved, ruling out a collision as the cause.
The Human Cost and Ongoing Investigation
The 71-metre skid mark is more than a technical detail; it underscores the tragedy’s brutality. Diogo Jota, a beloved figure at Liverpool FC and a two-time Nations League winner with Portugal, was known for his clinical finishing and warm personality. André, a rising star at Penafiel FC, shared a close bond with his brother, accompanying him on the road trip to support his recovery. Their deaths, just 11 days after Diogo’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, have left their family— including Rute and their three children—devastated.
The football community has rallied around the Silva family, with tributes from Liverpool, Cristiano Ronaldo, and fans worldwide. A funeral in Gondomar on July 5 drew thousands, with Rute’s whispered three words into Diogo’s coffin—captured inadvertently by a microphone—adding a heartrending layer to the story. The 71-metre skid mark now serves as a stark reminder of the moments leading to their loss.
Spanish authorities are continuing their investigation, focusing on the Lamborghini’s maintenance history, the tire’s condition, and the black box data. The skid mark’s length has prompted calls for a deeper look into the Huracán’s safety systems and the road’s condition at the time of the crash. If a mechanical defect is found, it could have significant implications for Lamborghini and the broader supercar industry.
A Legacy Marked by Speed and Sorrow
The 71-metre skid mark is a chilling testament to the speed and power that defined Diogo Jota’s final moments. For experts, it raises critical questions about what went wrong on that fateful night. For fans, it’s a painful symbol of a life cut short, a reminder of the thin line between exhilaration and catastrophe. As the investigation unfolds, the skid mark—longer than half a football field—stands as a haunting clue that something more may have failed, forever altering the lives of those left behind.
