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Four-time Paralympic champion and ex-F1 driver Zanardi dies aged 59
TL;DR
Alessandro 'Alex' Zanardi, a four-time Paralympic champion and former F1 driver, has died at 59. His family confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday.
Key points
- Alessandro Zanardi died at the age of 59.
- He was a former Formula One driver.
- Zanardi won four gold and two silver medals at the Paralympics.
- He lost both legs in a 2001 racing accident.
Mentioned in this story
Alessandro Zanardi
ParalympicsFormula One
FILE PHOTO - Italian Paralympian Alessandro Zanardi pictured during the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Former Formula One driver and Paralympian Zanardi has died at the age of 59, his family said in a statement on Saturday. Jens Büttner/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
Former Formula One driver and Paralympic champion Alessandro 'Alex' Zanardi has died at the age of 59, his family said in a statement on Saturday.
The Italian lost both legs in a car racing accident at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany in 2001.
He then took up para-cycling and won four gold medals and two silver medals in hand-cycling at the Paralympics.
Zanardi had competed in more than 40 Formula One races between 1991 and 1999. He drove for Lotus and Williams among others where he was a team-mate of Ralf Schumacher. He scored one solitary point.
His family did not provide details about the cause of death. They said Zanardi died suddenly on Friday evening.
"Alex fell asleep peacefully, surrounded by the affection of his loved ones," their statement said.
After his Formula One career ended, he suffered the life-changing accident after a pit-stop during a CART series race at the Lausitzring. His legs had to be amputated.
He later enjoyed success in cycling at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Italian PM Meloni leads tributes
In 2020 in another accident, he lost control of his hand-bike during a charity race in Tuscany and collided with a lorry. He suffered severe head and facial injuries and his life was in danger for some time.
Six years later and his death prompted heartfelt reactions across the world.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Zanardi as an "extraordinary man who was able to turn every test in life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity.
"With his sporting achievements, his example and his humanity, he gave all of us far more than just a victory: he gave us hope, pride and the strength never to give up."
Q&A
What caused Alessandro Zanardi's death?
The cause of Alessandro Zanardi's death has not been specified in the statement from his family.
How many Paralympic medals did Alex Zanardi win?
Alex Zanardi won four gold medals and two silver medals in hand-cycling at the Paralympics.
What happened to Alex Zanardi in 2001?
In 2001, Alex Zanardi lost both legs in a car racing accident at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany.
What was Alex Zanardi's career after Formula One?
After his Formula One career, Alex Zanardi transitioned to para-cycling and achieved significant success in the Paralympics.
