Zanardi to Compete with Special Livery at Portimao

Fresh off his participation in the 2014 UCI Para-Cycling World Championships at Greenville, S.C, Alex Zanardi arrived in Portugal for the fifth round of the Blancpain Sprint Series to find his BMW Z4 GT3 in new colors.

The livery features a gold-colored hood and roof, with stylized pictures of Zanardi riding his hand-cycle on the doors and his medal winning times.

The BMW factory driver competed in the MH5 category (men’s hand-cycle), where he clinched the world titles in the time trial and team relay disciplines and came in second in the road race.

“I am speechless,” the Italian said after seeing the car for the first time. “And I have to say: That is pretty rare for me! I am so very touched by this.

“It has been a few hectic weeks, I have to say. When I was still racing at the Slovakia Ring, my team-mates of the relay team were already training hard in Greenville. I went to join them as quickly as I could and now I am back here in Portimao.

“I can’t wait to drive this beautiful car. But I will be very careful, because I don’t want to scratch my baby!”