By Joiner Martínez
Former Formula 1 driver and multiple Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi died at the age of 59 in Italy, as confirmed by his family in a statement collected this Saturday.
His family reported that he died peacefully, accompanied by his loved ones.
In the text, they publicly thanked the condolences received and requested respect for their privacy during the mourning: “With deep sorrow, the family announces the death of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly last night, May 1. Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family. The family sincerely thanks everyone who has shown their support in these hours and asks for respect for their pain and privacy in this time of mourning. Information about the funeral will be shared at a later date”.
The FIA is saddened to study of the passing of Alex Zanardi, the inclined Formulation 1 driver, two-time CART champion whose experience from lifestyles-altering accident to Paralympics gold medalist made him one among sport’s most admired competitors and a lengthy-lasting image of braveness and… pic.twitter.com/CCMjUS7lbh
— FIA (@fia) Can also simply 2, 2026
World Paralympic figure
After an extensive career as an elite athlete, Alessandro Zanardi established himself as a figure in world Paralympism by winning four gold medals in this discipline. His career was marked by episodes of profound improvement and strength after having overcome extreme situations.
The Italian athlete challenged the limits of motorsports and para-cycling. His career was distinguished by an exceptional transition between the Formula 1 elite and the Paralympic elite.
Zanardi’s career was marked by the profound reinvention after the serious accident in 2001 and by the achievements obtained in international championships both with racing cars and with his handbike.
Becoming a benchmark for self-improvement, Zanardi channeled his new sporting stage towards paracycling. He represented Italy at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, winning four gold medals and two silver in time trials and relays.
2020 marked another dramatic episode: during a handbike test in Italy, Zanardi suffered a new accident that caused serious head injuries. The recovery process was extensive and included a long rehabilitation.
Goodbye, Alex #Zanardi. Double CART champion, former #F1 driver, Paralympic champion, who lost his legs in a ghastly accident in 2001, died today at the age of 59. He left us this pass in Laguna Seca 1996 to Bryan Herta in the last lap. #RIP
pic.twitter.com/Et9ruBsqmG
— Autoextra Magazine (@Autoextragti) Can also simply 2, 2026
A motorsports winner
Throughout his career, Zanardi won 15 victories in CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) driving for Chip Ganassi Racing and took sixth place in the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix, which represented his only point in Formula 1 with Lotus.
His time in the top category of motorsport also included stages with Jordan, Minardi and Williams, although the last one, in 1999, was disappointing and marked his farewell to that field.
In September 2001, during a CART race at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz in Germany, Zanardi suffered an accident that resulted in the amputation of both legs.
After losing much of his blood and undergoing multiple surgeries, he survived in a manner considered miraculous. From then on, he designed his own prostheses and returned to compete in international motorsports. Between 2005 and 2009 he won four World Touring Car Championship competitions driving for BMW.
Continue reading:
“In this painful moment, I am close to you”: The handwritten letter that the Pope writes to Alex Zanardi
Alex Zanardi, stable after his horrific accident, but with brain damage that could be permanent
Again between life and death: Alex Zanardi is in very serious condition after another ghastly accident