Alex Zanardi has died at the age of 57. (Image: Getty)
Former F1 star turned Paralympic legend Alex Zanardi has passed away at the age of 59. Throughout the 1990s, Zanardi competed in F1 for Jordan, Minardi, Lotus, and Williams from 1991 to 1999, and was also a regular fixture in CART for Chip Ganassi.
His motorsport career was brought to a devastating end in September 2001 at the Lausitzring in Germany, when a catastrophic 200mph crash saw him be struck side-on by Alex Tagliani, resulting in the amputation of both his legs. In addition to losing both limbs, he also lost 75 per cent of his blood, suffered a broken pelvis and was placed into an induced coma.
Zanardi regained consciousness five days later and immediately set his sights on returning to racing in whatever capacity he could. In 2003, he went back to the Lausitzring to complete the remaining laps he had been unable to finish on that fateful day in 2001.
In 2006, he took to the wheel of a BMW Sauber F1 car in Valencia and later drove a modified BMW M8 in 2019, when he took part in the Daytona 24 Hours. He ultimately turned his attention from motorsport to handcycling at the Paralympic Games.
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At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, he claimed two gold medals in the H4 class road time trial and individual road race, with the first contested at the iconic motorsport venue Brands Hatch. At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, he struck gold once more, on this occasion in the H5 road time trial and the H2-5 mixed team relay.
At both the London and Rio Games, he also claimed a silver medal. However, since 2020, he had not been seen publicly following another accident, in which his hand-bike collided with a lorry in his native Italy.
He had been competing in a charity relay in Tuscany when he lost control of his bike and struck the vehicle. Zanardi underwent treatment for more than a year, but, in circumstances not unlike those surrounding Michael Schumacher following his skiing accident, his family kept details of his recovery strictly under wraps.
Alessandro Zanardi of Italy poses with his Gold medal. (Image: Getty Images)
Confirming his death, a statement from his family was released across social media. It read: “It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly on the evening of yesterday, May 1.
“Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family. The family sincerely thanks everyone who has shown support in these hours and asks for respect for their grief and privacy at this time of mourning. Information regarding the funeral will be shared at a later date.”
The FIA also released a statement of their own, paying tribute to the former F1 star. It read: “The FIA is saddened to learn of the passing of Alex Zanardi, the former Formula 1 driver, two-time CART champion whose journey from life-changing accident to Paralympics gold medallist made him one of sport’s most admired competitors and an enduring symbol of courage and determination.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also wrote: “Italy has lost a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength, and dignity. Alex Zanardi knew how to get back in the game every time, facing even the toughest challenges with determination, clarity, and a strength of spirit that was out of the ordinary.
“With his sporting achievements, with his example, and with his humanity, he gave us all much more than a victory: he gave hope, pride, and the strength never to give up. On behalf of myself and the Government, I extend my heartfelt thoughts and the sincerest closeness to his family and to all those who loved him. Thank you for everything, Alex.”
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