Former F1 driver and Paralympian Alex Zanardi passes away aged 59

Former Formula 1 driver-turned-Paralympic athlete Alex Zanardi has handed away on the age of 59.

The Italian was considered one of motorsport’s hottest characters, competing in Formula 1 within the Nineties with Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams throughout 41 Grands Prix.

His strongest stint was with Lotus in 1993 and 1994 – with the Italian scoring a career-best sixth-place end in Brazil.

He gained two IndyCar titles – however on a second stint within the collection in 2001, he suffered a serious crash at Germany’s high-speed Lausitzring.

Zanardi survived however solely after each legs had been amputated – one on the knee, one on the hip.

The Italian returned to racing lower than two years after that accident, competing within the European Touring Car Championship in a specifically managed automotive. He moved as much as World Touring Cars and subsequently returned to the highest step of the rostrum.

Alongside his racing exploits, Zanardi took up handcycling. He has competed for Italy within the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, successful 4 gold medals and two silvers.

The racing icon suffered extreme accidents in a highway accident in Italy in 2020, whereas driving his hand bike in Siena in northern Italy.

Paying tribute to his buddy and compatriot, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali mentioned: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my expensive buddy Alex Zanardi.

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

“He confronted challenges that might have stopped anybody, but he continued to look ahead, all the time with a smile and a cussed dedication that impressed us all.

“While his loss is profoundly felt, his legacy stays robust.

“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.”