Ex-F1 driver and Paralympic gold medalist Alex Zanardi has died

Former Formula 1 driver and Paralympic gold medalist Alex Zanardi, who lost his legs in a serious CART incident in 2001, has died at the age of 59.

A statement from the Italian’s family issued on Saturday said Zanardi “passed away peacefully” on  Friday 1 May.

The family says he died “suddenly”, and has asked for privacy at this time.

“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly on the evening of yesterday, May 1,” read a statement released by his family on social media.

“Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family.

“The family sincerely thanks everyone who has shown support in these hours and asks for respect for their grief and privacy at this time of mourning.

“Information regarding the funeral will be shared at a later date.”

Alex Zanardi: A life of inspiration through extreme adversity

Zanardi competed in Formula 1 on and off between 1991 and 1999, making his debut with Jordan for the final three rounds of the 1991 campaign.

He entered three rounds in 1992 with Minadri, though only qualified for one. He contested a full campaign in 1993 with Lotus, scoring his only F1 points with a sixth-place finish in Brazil.

After an unsuccessful 1994 season with Lotus, Zanardi moved into the Indy Car World Series in 1996 with Ganassi Racing, where he finished third in the standings with three wins.

He continued with Ganassi into CART in 1997, where he won the championship, adding a second in 1998.

He returned to F1 in 1999 having signed a three-year deal with Williams, though both parties would go their separate ways at the end of a difficult season.

Zanardi returned to CART in 2001, but suffered a horrifying accident at the Lausitzring where he lost both of his legs.

But, showing his determined spirit, Zanardi noted later: “When I woke up without legs, I looked at the half that was left, not the half that was lost.”

Zanardi designed and built his own prosthetic legs having been unhappy with what was available to him at the time, and in 2003 returned to racing in the European Touring Car Championship in specially adapted machinery.

He won a World Touring Car Championship race in 2005 and won the Italian Superturismo Championship title.

Zanardi continued racing through to 2019, taking in touring car competition, as well as outings in the Blancpain GT series, the DTM and the 24 Hours of Daytona, in which he was ninth in 2019.

He also took up handcycling, winning numerous world championship medals, as well as four gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

In 2020, Zanardi suffered another serious incident while competing in a handcycling road race in Italy.

Suffering serious head injuries, Zanardi spent 18 months in hospital before returning home to continue his rehabilitation in December of 2021.

The FIA said this of Zanardi’s passing: “The FIA is saddened to learn of the passing of Alex Zanardi, the former Formula 1 driver, two-time CART champion whose journey from life-changing accident to Paralympics gold medallist made him one of sport’s most admired competitors and an enduring symbol of courage and determination.”

Formula One president and CEO Stefano Domenicali also shared his own words following the news of the death of Zanardi, a fellow Bolognese the former Ferrari team principal considered a "dear friend".

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Alex Zanardi," reads a statement from Domenicali.

“He was truly an inspirational person, as a human and as an athlete. I will always carry with me his extraordinary strength.

“He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, yet he continued to look forward, always with a smile and a stubborn determination that inspired us all.

“While his loss is profoundly felt, his legacy remains strong.

"At this time, my heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his wife Daniela, his son Niccolò, the rest of the family and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.”