Former Formula One driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has died aged 59 | Sports News

Zanardi, who lost his legs in a racing accident, is said to have helped change the perception of disabled people in Italy.

Alex Zanardi, the Italian Formula One driver who became the driver Paralympic cycling champion After amputating both legs in an accident, he has died at the age of 59, his family announced.

Zanardi, one of the most loved and respected players in his country, who helped change the perception of the disabled in Italy, died on Friday evening.

In a statement issued on Saturday through the support he started, Obiettivo3, his family said that he died “suddenly”, and “peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends”.

“The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all who are showing their support at this time and ask that their grief and privacy be respected during this time of grief.”

Zanardi’s death comes six years after the four-time Paralympic gold medalist suffered a second fatal accident in June 2020, when his hand bike collided with an oncoming car during a race in Tuscany.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised Zanardi as “a great competitor and a wonderful person, able to turn every trial of life into a lesson of courage, strength and dignity”.

Cordiano Dagnoni, head of the Italian Cycling Federation, said that “he changed the culture of our country, bringing joy and happiness to those who have the opportunity to know him, and I hope to many people in Italy and around the world”.

He said there will be a minute’s silence at this weekend’s races in honor of the athlete.

Zanardi raced for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in F1 in the early 1990s before switching to CART in the United States where he won championships in 1997 and 1998.

He returned to F1 with Williams in 1999 before returning to CART.

Zanardi nearly died in a fatal crash in 2001 at the Lausitzring track in Germany, after which both legs were amputated.

His car was stopped in the middle of the track after turning around and was hit by another car at a speed of more than 300km/h (186mph).

Yet he became one of the Paralympic stars, winning two gold medals at the 2012 London Games and two more in Rio de Janeiro, four years later.

In June 2020, he had another fatal accident, this time in Tuscany. He suffered severe head injuries and returned home 18 months later.

Zanardi, born in Bologna on October 23, 1966, is survived by his wife Daniela and son Niccolo.