Alex Zanardi died yesterday at 59 years old. The news was given by the association Obiettivo 3: “It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly last night, May 1st. Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. The family sincerely thanks all those who in these hours are showing their closeness and asks for respect for their grief and privacy in this moment of mourning. Information regarding the funeral will be communicated later.”
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Alex Zanardi never gave up to a grim fate that several times tried to hunt him down and take him away. In 2001 the accident at Lausitzring, terrifying, which deprived him of his legs but not of life. On the contrary, Alex was even more alive than before, with prosthetics he was an example of recovery and rebirth. He managed to return to racing, with cars adapted to his disability, then dedicating himself to a new passion: handbikes. With an amazing haul: 4 gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, another 4 in Rio 2016, 12 world titles.
Then again fate tried to take him away. Pienza 2020, a terrible collision between his handbike and a heavy vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Another ambush. Zanardi never appeared in public again and resisted for another five and a half years, until the news this morning.
What to say about his talent behind the wheel, not fully expressed in F1 – where among Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams he scored only 1 point –, but exploded in Champ Car. The American formula made him an idol with the 1997 and 1998 titles won with Chip Ganassi. After the Lausitzring accident he also participated in DTM, the 24 Hours of Daytona, winning the 2005 Italian super touring car championship.
The Zanardi family receives the condolences of the editorial staff of FormulaPassion.it.
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