Goodbye to the former driver who lost two legs in Formula Cart and who then became Paralympic champion with 4 golds and 12 world titles. After the crash in Tuscany in 2020 he disappeared from the public scene
Alex Zanardi he passed away on May 1st at the age of 59. Fate chose to take him away on the same day as Ayrton Senna, his idol. The Brazilian died in Imola in 1994 and the driver from Bologna who had taken him as an example for his career as a racing driver left us in his Bologna, a few kilometers from the Emilian racetrack. But Alex Zanardi was much more than a pilot, former pilot, even Formula 1after a terrible accident that cost him the amputation of his legs he became a sample paralympiccapable of winning 4 golds and 12 world championships with his handbike. Above all, capable of inspiring an entire generation to challenge the impossible. Just as he was riding his beloved handbike, another accident left him in a coma June 19, 2020.
The last years and career
Zanardi had already disappeared from the public scene for six years. His health conditions remained strictly confidential after the collision with a truck on the Sienese hills with terrible consequences. After a year and a half of operations and hospitalizations, the return home, to continue a long journey of rehabilitation and treatment, shrouded in silence. Until today’s announcement. Zanardi arrived in Formula 1 with Jordan in 1991, never had his big chance and after being hired by Minardi and Lotus he ended the adventure in 1999 with Williams. Zanardi moves to Formula Cart. And his life changes forever on 15 September 2001 on the German circuit of Lausitzring: he risks his life due to an accident, he manages to save himself only by amputating both legs.
The return
After 15 operations, Zanardi returns to racing by having special controls made. “Life is always worth living livedand it sport it gives incredible possibilities to improve your daily life and rediscover yourself motivations“. He always believed he could move forward at any cost, convinced that life always gives you another opportunity. And to broaden his message to a wider stage he decided to become a Paralympic athlete. At the Games London In the 2012 conquer with the handbike two golds and a silver. Others at Rio 2016 two golds and a second place. Beyond 12 world championships won in every corner of the world. Zanardi becomes icon For millions Of people all over the world. It pushes anyone to play sportswith his example but also through acts concretesuch as the association and charity marathons. “The accident gave me the opportunity to do things that perhaps in another life I would never have had the opportunity to try.” With this spirit he faced his second life. His wife Daniela and son Niccolò have always been at his side. Until May 1, 2026 when his legend Ayrton Senna joined the sky.
