Former Paralympic gold medalist and F1 driver Alex Zanardi has died aged 59

Four-time Paralympic gold medalist and former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi has died aged 59.

Born in Bologna, Zanardi competed in Formula 1 for five seasons and finished sixth in the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix before a major crash in 2001 resulted in both legs being amputated.

Zanardi recovered from his life-changing operation to become a Paralympic champion, first competing at the London Games in 2012 and claiming two gold medals in the para-cycling category before following up with two more in Rio de Janeiro four years later.

Multiple winners at the UCI Para-Cycling Road World Championships and most recently in Emmen 2019, a year after another serious accident resulted in another long layoff.

Zanardi’s death was confirmed on Saturday and tributes poured in.

“The FIA ​​is saddened to learn of the passing of Alex Zanardi, former Formula 1 driver, two-time CART champion, whose journey from life-changing accident to Paralympic gold medalist has made him one of the sport’s most admired competitors and an enduring symbol of courage and tenacity,” a statement said.

Zanardi raced in F1 for Team Jordan, Minardi and Team Lotus before turning his hand to the CART Championship.

The switch to CART proved successful as he brought back-to-back championship successes for Chip Ganassi before a brief return to F1 with Williams.

Zanardi’s crash in 2001 sent his career and life on a different trajectory, but success still followed in abundance.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened by the death of my dear friend Alex Zanardi. He was a truly inspirational person as a person and as a sportsman.

“I will always carry her extraordinary strength with me. She faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, yet she kept looking forward, always with a smile and a stubborn determination that inspired us all.

“While his loss is deeply felt, his legacy remains strong. At this time, my sincere thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his wife Daniela, his son Niccolo, the rest of the family and all who had the opportunity to know him.”

After Zanardi was able to drive again, initially with a hand-operated brake and accelerator control, Monza had a car modified to allow him to use his prosthetic leg in the 2003 European Touring Car Championship.

He was even able to get back into an F1 car for testing, but quickly shifted his focus to the next big goal, and after completing numerous marathons, hand cycling was a way to get back on the podium.

He won his first Paralympic gold medal in the men’s road time trial H4 at the 2012 London Games before securing the individual H4 road race.

The following Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro brought two more victories, this time in the H5 men’s time trial and mixed team relay, further etching Zanardi’s name in the history books.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed him as a symbol of “the strength to never give up” in the face of adversity.

“Italy has lost a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson of courage, strength and dignity,” Meloni wrote on Instagram.

“Alex Zanardi knew how to get back into the game every time, even the toughest challenges faced with tenacity, clarity and a simple will.

“With his sporting achievements, his example and his humanity, he gave us all much more than winning: he gave us hope, pride and the strength to never give up.”