Alex Zanardi Passes Away Aged 59

Alex Zanardi has passed away at the age of 59, his family announced on Saturday.

The Italian driver was best known for his exploits in Formula 1 and CART, where he won back-to-back titles in 1997-98, but also became a semi-regular participant in sports car racing towards the end of his career, most notably with appearances in the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa in 2015 and the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2019.

He was also became a prolific Paralympic athlete after the infamous CART crash at Lausitz in 2001 that cost him both his legs, scoring four gold medals in handcycling at the London and Rio de Janeiro Games.

Zanardi’s death follows almost six years on from a serious accident, in which he was struck by a heavy vehicle, that took place during a handcycling race in his native Italy.

“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly yesterday evening, 1 May,” read a statement issued by Zanardi’s family.

“Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends.

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

After his single-seater tenure was cut short in 2001, Zanardi returned to racing in 2003 in touring car racing driving cars fitted with specially-adapted hand controls, beginning an association with BMW that endured for the remainder of his career.

He was a four-time race winner in the World Touring Car Championship in BMW machinery, and later embarked on a full season in the Blancpain Sprint Series in 2014 driving a BMW Z4 GT3 operated by Roberto Ravaglia’s ROAL Motorsport operation, the same team that fielded his WTCC entry.

The same team fielded Zanardi’s 24H Spa entry the next year, as the Bologna native finished 25th overall sharing a Z4 GT3 with Timo Glock and Bruno Spengler.

Zanardi took on the Rolex 24 in 2019 with BMW Team RLL, driving a M8 GTE alongside John Edwards, Chaz Mostert and Jesse Krohn, which followed one-off outings in the Italian GT Championship in a M6 GT3 at Mugello and in the DTM in 2018 at Misano.

What turned out to be his final on-track appearances came in 2019 with another Italian GT foray at Mugello and in the DTM/SUPER GT Dream Race at Fuji Speedway.

He was training to participate in a third consecutive Paralympics at Tokyo in 2021 at the time of his handcycling accident, which also ruled him out of another planned Italian GT appearance at Monza in 2020.

SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel was among those to pay tribute to Zanardi, saying: “Alex was a great man and tremendously inspiring. It was an honor to meet him and to welcome him into our championship.

“While he has left us, he will remain a figure of huge importance in motor racing and beyond.”

A minute’s silence will be held ahead of Saturday’s first GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup race of the weekend at Brands Hatch, where Zanardi earned his two Paralympic golds in the 2012 London Games.