Alex Zanardi dies at 59 after career spanning Formula One and Paralympic sport

Rome: Alex Zanardi, the Italian former Formula One driver who went on to become a Paralympic cycling champion after losing both legs in a racing accident, has died at the age of 59, his family announced on Saturday.

According to a statement issued through Obiettivo3, the charity he founded, Zanardi died on Friday evening. His family said he died suddenly, but also peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends. No further details were given.

Zanardi was widely regarded in Italy as one of the country’s most admired sports figures and was credited with changing perceptions of disability through his sporting achievements and advocacy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to him on X, describing Zanardi as “a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity”.

The International Paralympic Committee also praised his legacy. A spokesman said, “Alex was a pioneer, icon and legend of the Paralympic Movement,” adding, “His performances were truly out of this world, engaged new fans to the Games, and showed the world that anything is possible. The iconic picture of him raising his handcycle above his head in victory at London 2012 will go down in history as one of the great sporting images. He will be remembered forever.”

From Formula One to CART success

Zanardi raced in Formula One for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in the early 1990s before moving to the CART series in the United States, where he won championships in 1997 and 1998. He later returned to Formula One with Williams in 1999 before going back to CART.

In 2001, he was involved in a devastating crash at Germany’s Lausitzring. After his car spun and came to a halt in the middle of the track, it was hit by another vehicle travelling at more than 300 kilometres per hour. The crash led to the amputation of both his legs. Dawn reported that he lost a large amount of blood, received the last rites from a chaplain, his heart stopped several times, and he underwent 15 operations in a Berlin hospital.

Recalling that period, Zanardi had said, “When I woke up, I didn’t think about my legs. I thought about the half of me that remained.” Three months later, he made a public appearance in Bologna and said, “What emotion, my legs are trembling.”

Paralympic champion and public figure

After later competing in specially adapted cars, Zanardi built a second career in handcycling and became one of the best-known names in Paralympic sport. He won two gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympics and added two more at the Rio de Janeiro Games four years later.

He also won the Rome marathon in 2010 and the New York marathon in 2011. Explaining his approach, he said, “When you have given everything, go on for five seconds. This is where the others can’t do it anymore.”

Beyond sport, Zanardi wrote several books, hosted television programmes and provided a voiceover for the Italian version of the animated film Cars. Through Obiettivo3 and his wider advocacy work, he supported many differently-abled athletes.

The FIA, motorsport’s governing body, described him as “an enduring symbol of courage and determination”. Cordiano Dagnoni, head of the Italian Cycling Federation, said Zanardi “transformed the culture of our country, bringing joy and happiness to those fortunate enough to know him, and hope to so many in Italy and around the world”. He added that a minute’s silence would be observed at this weekend’s races in tribute.

Second major accident

Zanardi had largely remained out of public view since another serious accident in June 2020, when his handbike collided with an oncoming truck during a race in Tuscany. He suffered severe head injuries and returned home 18 months later.

Born in Bologna on October 23, 1966, Zanardi is survived by his wife Daniela and son Niccolo.