Photo: Marco Castelli / CC BY-SA 2.0
Former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi dies aged 59
Italian motorsport legend Alex Zanardi has passed away at the age of 59, six years after suffering life-changing injuries in a handbike accident.
F1 & MotoGP news to your inbox every day.
Italian media have reported the sad news that former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi has died at the age of 59.
“With deep sadness, the family announces that yesterday evening, May 1, Alessandro Zanardi suddenly passed away. Alex left peacefully, surrounded by the love of his closest family,” his relatives said in a statement shared on social media via Obiettivo3.
“The family sincerely thanks everyone who, in these hours, is expressing their closeness and asks for respect for their grief and privacy during this time of mourning. Information regarding the funeral will be announced at a later time.”
Zanardi had been battling the consequences of a serious accident since June 19, 2020, when he was involved in a crash during a handbike race. His handbike overturned and he was subsequently struck by a truck, resulting in severe injuries.
He underwent multiple surgeries and was later transferred to a hospital in Padua. Although he returned home at the end of 2021, his condition required further hospital treatment. Since then, there had been little public information about his health until this announcement.
Zanardi competed in Formula 1 during the 1990s, racing for teams including Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams, making a total of 44 Grand Prix starts.
His greatest success came in the CART series, where he claimed 15 victories and 28 podiums, winning the championship in 1997 and 1998. However, it was also in CART that his life changed forever. In 2001, he suffered a devastating crash at the Lausitzring that resulted in the loss of both of his legs.
Remarkably, Zanardi returned to top-level competition. He raced in the World Touring Car Championship, where he secured multiple victories, and even made a one-off appearance in DTM at Misano, finishing an impressive fifth.
Beyond motorsport, Zanardi became an inspiration through his achievements in para-sport. He competed in the Paralympic Games, winning four gold medals in handcycling and demonstrating extraordinary determination and resilience.
