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The motor racing world mourns the loss of Alex Zanardi. The Italian Formula 1 driver, who later became Paralympic champion after two life-changing accidents, has died, his family announced on Saturday. He was 59.
The family confirmed that their loved ones were with Zanardi when he died. “Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him,” the family said in a statement. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Zanardi’s family also said it “Thanks to everyone who is sharing their support right now and asking for respect during this time of grief.”
Zanardi suffered serious injuries in a 2020 handcycle accident where he collided with an oncoming truck during a relay event in Italy. He suffered facial and skull trauma and was placed in a medically induced coma.
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Alessandro Zanardi of Italy celebrates his gold medal after winning the men’s road cycle individual time trial H4 category at the 2012 Paralympic Games at Brands Hatch motor racing circuit near London on September 5, 2012. (Astair Grant/AP)
Almost two decades earlier, Zanardi lost both his legs in a car racing crash.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Zanardi in a post on X, saying in part: “Italy is losing a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every challenge in life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity. Alex Zanardi knew how to bounce back every time he faced even the toughest challenges, a force of determination and truth.”
Zanardi won back-to-back championships in CART in 1997 and 1998 in the United States. He then briefly returned to F1.
He eventually returned stateside and was racing in Germany in a CART event in 2001 when both of his legs were severed in a horrific accident the weekend after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. CART only raced 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 left in a three-day coma after the 2001 crash.
During his recovery, Zanardi designed his own prosthetics and learned to walk again. He then turned his attention to handcycling and developed into one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes in the world.
He won four gold medals and two silvers at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games, competed in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record.
Driver Alex Zanardi (24) of the BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE watches before the Rolex 24 of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on January 26, 2019. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
Zanardi used specially adapted cars with hand controls for throttle and braking to take up racing again after the 2001 accident.
Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive of F1, said he was “deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend,” calling Zanardi “truly an inspiring person, as a human being and as an athlete.”
“He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, but he continued to look forward, always with a smile and a dogged determination that inspired us all,” Domenicali added. “While his loss is deeply felt, his legacy remains strong.”
Alex Zanardi of Italy crosses the finish line at the IRONMAN 70.3 Emilia Romagna in Cervia, Italy on September 22, 2019. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
After Zanardi’s fall in 2020, Pope Francis praised him as a symbol of strength in adversity and sent a handwritten letter of encouragement and prayers.
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Before Saturday’s F1 sprint race in Miami Gardens, Florida, Zanardi observed a moment of silence. The Italian Olympic Committee also called for a minute’s silence at sporting events across Italy.
Zanardi is survived by his wife, Daniela, and son, Niccolò.
