Alex Zanardi, former F1 driver and Paralympic champion, dies at 59

Alex Zanardi, the Italian former Formula 1 driver who became a Paralympic cycling champion after losing both legs in a racing accident, has died at age 59, his family announced Saturday.

Zanardi died Friday evening, May 1. "It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly yesterday evening," the family said in a statement issued through Obiettivo3, the charity organization he founded. "Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him."

Born in Bologna in October 1966, Zanardi made his Formula 1 debut in 1991 and raced for Jordan, Minardi, Lotus, and Williams between 1991 and 1994, and again in 1999. Before his return to F1, he competed in the U.S.-based Cart championship, winning consecutive titles in 1997 and 1998 with Ganassi.

His life changed dramatically in September 2001 when he suffered a high-speed crash during a Cart race at the Lausitzring track in Germany. The accident resulted in the amputation of both his legs. Within a year of the crash, Zanardi returned to racing, waving the checkered flag at a Cart event in 2002.

After his injury, Zanardi took up para-cycling and handcycling. He won four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2012 Paralympics in London and the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. He also competed in endurance events, including the New York City Marathon and an Ironman competition.

On June 19, 2020, Zanardi suffered another serious accident while participating in a handbike relay event near Pienza in Tuscany. His handbike collided with a truck, resulting in severe head and facial injuries that required a lengthy hospitalization and medical intervention.

During his recovery from his 2001 injury, Zanardi designed his own prosthetic legs and relearned how to walk. He continued to race cars even after losing his legs, competing at events including the Rolex 24 of Daytona in 2019 without his prosthetics.

Zanardi opened the opening ceremony of the 2006 Turin Paralympic Games. The Italian Cycling Federation announced that a minute of silence would be observed during all races scheduled for the weekend in his memory.

His family is survived by his wife Daniela and son Niccolò. The family requested respect for their privacy during this period of mourning and said funeral details would be announced at an appropriate time.