Newsletters
Alex Zanardi, the former Formula One and CART racing driver who later became a Paralympic gold medallist and influential advocate for disability sport, has died at the age of 59, his family has announced.
In a statement released through the charity he founded, Obiettivo3, the family said Zanardi died on Friday evening. They added that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by relatives and friends, but did not disclose further details.
Zanardi was one of Italy’s most prominent and widely respected sporting figures, known both for his achievements in motorsport and for his remarkable resilience following a life-changing accident.
He competed in Formula One during the 1990s for teams including Jordan, Minardi, Lotus, and Williams. He later moved to the American CART series, where he achieved significant success, winning the championship in both 1997 and 1998.
His career was dramatically altered in 2001 when he suffered a severe crash at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany. The accident resulted in the amputation of both legs after extensive medical treatment.
Despite his injuries, Zanardi returned to elite sport as a handbike athlete, achieving major success on the international stage. He won four Paralympic gold medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games, becoming one of the most recognizable figures in Paralympic sport.
He also competed successfully in marathon events and became a prominent advocate for athletes with disabilities, widely credited with helping to change public perceptions in Italy and beyond.
In 2020, Zanardi was involved in a second serious accident during a handbike event in Tuscany, which left him with severe head injuries and led to a prolonged absence from public life.
Tributes have been paid from across the sporting world. The International Paralympic Committee described him as “a pioneer, icon and legend of the Paralympic Movement,” highlighting his impact on the Games and global disability sport.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also paid tribute, describing Zanardi as “a great champion and an extraordinary man” who transformed personal adversity into a message of courage, strength, and dignity.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
