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The motorsport world is mourning the loss of Alex Zanardi. The Italian Formula 1 driver, who later became a Paralympic champion after two life-changing accidents, has died, his family announced on Saturday. He was 59 years old.
The family confirmed that loved ones were with Zanardi when he died. “Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the love of those closest to him,” the family said in a statement. No cause of death was provided.
Zanardi's family also said they “thank everyone who is sharing their support at this time and ask for respect during this time of mourning.”
Zanardi suffered serious injuries in a handbike accident in 2020, colliding with an oncoming truck during a relay event in Italy. He suffered facial and head trauma and was placed in a medically induced coma.
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Alessandro Zanardi of Italy celebrates his gold medal after winning the men's H4 road cycling individual time trial at the 2012 Paralympic Games at Brands Hatch race circuit near London on September 5, 2012. (Alastair Grant/AP)
Nearly two decades earlier, Zanardi lost both legs in a car accident.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Zanardi in a post on
Zanardi won back-to-back CART championships in 1997 and 1998 in the United States. He then briefly returned to F1.
He eventually returned to the United States and raced in Germany in a CART event in 2001, when both of his legs were severed in a horrific accident the weekend after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. CART ran alone because the series was already in Germany at the time of the attacks and could not return to the US.
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Zanardi remained in a coma for three days after the 2001 accident.
During his recovery, Zanardi designed his own prosthetics and learned to walk again. He then turned his attention to handcycling and became one of the sport's most accomplished athletes in the world.
He won four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games, competed in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record.
BMW RLL BMW M8 GTE Team driver Alex Zanardi (24) watches before the Rolex 24 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on January 26, 2019. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
Zanardi used specially adapted cars with manual acceleration and braking controls to resume racing after the 2001 accident.
Stefano Domenicali, F1's president and chief executive, said he was “deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend”, calling Zanardi “a truly inspiring person, as a human being and as an athlete”.
“He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, but he continued to look forward, always with a smile and a dogged determination that inspired us all,” Domenicali added. “While his loss is deeply felt, his legacy remains strong.”
Alex Zanardi of Italy crosses the finish line at the IRONMAN 70.3 Emilia Romagna in Cervia, Italy, on September 22, 2019. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
After Zanardi's accident in 2020, Pope Francis praised him as a symbol of strength in adversity and sent a handwritten letter offering encouragement and prayers.
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Before Saturday's F1 sprint race in Miami Gardens, Florida, a moment of silence honored Zanardi. The Italian Olympic Committee also called for a minute of silence at sporting events across Italy.
Zanardi is survived by his wife, Daniela, and his son, Niccolò.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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