Former Formula 1 driver and Paralympic gold medallist Alex Zanardi has died at the age of 59, his family announced on Saturday, saying he passed away on Friday night. They said he died peacefully, surrounded by those closest to him, and did not give a cause of death.
Zanardi’s life was shaped by two catastrophic accidents and extraordinary comebacks. In 2001, while racing in Germany for the CART series, he suffered a crash that cost him both legs. At that time Zanardi was already a two-time CART champion who had briefly raced in Formula 1. The crash occurred the weekend after the September 11 attacks, when the series remained in Europe.
During his rehabilitation, Zanardi helped design his own prosthetic legs, quipping that he had made himself taller, and worked to walk again. He then reinvented himself as a hand-cyclist and became one of the sport’s most decorated athletes, winning four gold and two silver medals across the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. He also competed in the New York City Marathon and set a record in an Ironman event.
In 2019 he returned to car racing, taking part for BMW at the Rolex 24 at Daytona without his prosthetics. He remained a beloved figure in motorsport, known for an infectious smile and lively storytelling. Fellow drivers, including Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso, sought him out for photos and conversation.
In 2020 Zanardi suffered serious injuries in a handbike accident during a relay event in Tuscany when he collided with an oncoming truck. He sustained severe facial and cranial trauma and was placed in a medically induced coma. The incident drew messages of support from around the world, including a handwritten letter of encouragement from Pope Francis.
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute, saying Italy had lost a great champion and an extraordinary man whose courage, strength and dignity inspired many. Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali described Zanardi as a dear friend and an inspirational figure who confronted huge challenges with a smile and stubborn determination.
Zanardi’s family thanked those who have offered support and asked for respect and privacy during their mourning. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.