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The racing world mourns the loss of Alex Zanardi. The Italian Formula 1 driver, who later became a Paralympic champion after two accidents that turned his life upside down, has died, his family announced on Saturday. He was 59 years old.
The family confirmed that relatives were with Zanardi at the time of his death. “Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of his loved ones,” the family said in a statement. The cause of death was not provided.
Zanardi’s family also said they “thank everyone who is sharing their support at this time and asking for respect during this time of grief.”
Zanardi was seriously injured in a handbike accident in 2020, colliding with an oncoming truck during a relay event in Italy. He suffered facial and head trauma and was placed in a medically induced coma.
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Italy’s Alessandro Zanardi celebrates his gold medal after winning the men’s individual road time trial event in the H4 category at the 2012 Paralympic Games at the Brands Hatch racing circuit near London, September 5, 2012. (Alastair Grant/AP)
Nearly two decades earlier, Zanardi had lost both legs in a racing accident.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Zanardi in a post on
Zanardi won back-to-back CART championships in 1997 and 1998 in the United States. He then briefly returned to F1.
He eventually returned to the United States, competing in a CART event in Germany in 2001, when both of his legs were severed in a horrific accident the weekend after the September 11 terrorist attacks. CART only ran because the series was already in Germany at the time of the attacks and could not return to the United States.
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Zanardi was in a coma for three days after the 2001 accident.
During his recovery, Zanardi designed his own prosthetics and learned to walk again. He then turned to hand cycling and became one of the most accomplished athletes in the world.
He won four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, competed in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record.
Driver Alex Zanardi (24) of BMW RLL Team BMW M8 GTE looks on before the Rolex 24 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on January 26, 2019. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
Zanardi used specially adapted cars with manual controls for fuel and braking to return to racing after the 2001 accident.
Stefano Domenicali, F1 president and chief executive, said he was “deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend”, calling Zanardi “truly an inspiring person, as a human and as an athlete”.
“He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, but he continued to look forward, always with a smile and a stubborn determination that inspired us all,” Domenicali added. “While his loss is deeply felt, his legacy remains strong.”
Italian Alex Zanardi crosses the finish line of the IRONMAN 70.3 Emilia Romagna in Cervia, Italy, September 22, 2019. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
After Zanardi’s accident in 2020, Pope Francis praised him as a symbol of strength in adversity and sent a handwritten letter offering encouragement and prayers.
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Before Saturday’s F1 sprint race in Miami Gardens, Florida, a minute of silence honored Zanardi. The Italian Olympic Committee also called for a minute of silence at sporting events across Italy.
Zanardi is survived by his wife, Daniela, and his son, Niccolò.
