Alex Zanardi, racing champion and Paralympic hero, dies at 59

Yahoo Sports3h ago41 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Racing champion Alex Zanardi has died at 59 at his home in Italy. He was a celebrated Formula One driver and Paralympic hero, known for his resilience after a severe racing accident.

Key points

Alex Zanardi died at age 59 at his home in Italy
He was a Formula One driver and CART champion
Zanardi won gold medals in two Paralympic Games
He suffered severe injuries in a 2001 racing accident
Zanardi was involved in a serious handbike collision in June 2020

Mentioned in this story

Alex ZanardiChip Ganassi Racing

ParalympicsFIA World Touring Car Championship

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The racing world awoke Saturday morning to the sad news that beloved racing champion Alex Zanardi had passed away overnight at the age of 59 at his home in Italy.

“It is with deep sorry that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi which occurred suddenly yesterday evening, May 1. … he died peacefully surrounded by the affection of those closest to him,” the Zanardi family said in a statement released internationally.

Zanardi was a Formula One driver and a popular CART champion, winning a pair of titles driving in the United States for the esteemed Chip Ganassi Racing team in 1997-98. After a brief return to F1, Zanardi resumed CART competition in 2001, but was badly injured in a horrific race accident in Germany, ultimately necessitating the amputation of both his legs.

Even that did not dull his competitive spirit, however. Zanardi became a massively successful Paralympic handcyclist champion winning gold medals in two Paralympics. He even returned to auto racing, competing in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (2003-09) in a specially-designed cockpit and eventually - triumphantly - returned the American racing scene, competing in the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Unfortunately – and unfathomably – in June 2020, Zanardi was involved in a horrible collision while competing in a handbike race in Italy - suffering a massive head injury that required multiple facial surgeries. He was in hospital for 18 months before returning home where he has remained since.

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CERVIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 21: Alex Zanardi of Italy celebrates finishing IRONMAN Italy on September 21, 2019 in Cervia, Italy. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

His resiliency and determination not only shined in his own career but he served as inspiration to countless others. The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said of Zanardi today, he was “an extraordinary man who was able to turn every test in life into a lesson in courage strength and dignity.’’

Q&A

What caused Alex Zanardi's death?

Alex Zanardi passed away suddenly at his home in Italy, but the specific cause of death has not been disclosed.

What were Alex Zanardi's major achievements in racing?

Zanardi was a two-time CART champion and competed in Formula One, later becoming a successful Paralympic handcyclist, winning gold medals.

How did Alex Zanardi's accident affect his career?

After a severe accident in 2001 that resulted in the amputation of both his legs, Zanardi continued to compete in racing and became a Paralympic champion.

What happened to Alex Zanardi in June 2020?

In June 2020, Zanardi suffered a serious head injury from a collision while competing in a handbike race, leading to an extended hospital stay.