Former F1 driver and Paralympic gold medalist Alex Zanardi, whose career was marked by two life-changing accidents, has died aged 59.
Zanardi’s family announced his death on Saturday, saying he passed away on Friday night.
“Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him,” he said in a statement, without giving a cause of death.
In 2020, Zanardi suffered serious injuries in a handbike accident after colliding with an oncoming truck during a relay event in Tuscany.
Zanardi suffered severe facial and cranial trauma in the accident and was placed in a medically induced coma.
Almost 20 years ago, Zanardi lost both legs in a car racing accident.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on social media: “Italy has lost a great champion and an extraordinary person who could turn every challenge in life into a lesson of courage, strength and dignity.”
“Alex Zanardi knew how to get back up every time, facing the most difficult challenges with determination, clarity and extraordinary mental strength,” Meloni added.
“With his sporting achievements, example and humanity, he gave us all more than just winning. He gave us hope, pride and the strength to never give up. On behalf of myself and the government, I send our sincere thoughts and heartfelt closeness to his family and all who loved him. Thank you for everything, Alex.”
Zanardi won two championships in American CART before a brief move to Formula 1.
He returned to the United States and was competing in a CART competition in Germany in 2001 when both his legs were amputated in a horrific accident the weekend after the September 11 attacks.
CART raced because the series was already in Germany at the time of the attack and was unable to return to the United States.
While recovering, Zanardi designed his own prosthesis. He joked that he had grown taller and had learned to walk again.
Zanardi won four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympic Games.
He then turned his attention to hand cycling and developed into one of the world’s greatest athletes.
He won four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, and competed in the New York City Marathon, setting an Ironman record.
His spirit, will and determination gave his beloved Italian a larger-than-life personality.
When he returned to the United States in 2019 to race for BMW at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, he was the most respected driver in a field that included F1 champion Fernando Alonso.
Motorists from all over the world came to Zanardi to take pictures, and he was spellbound as many people told elaborate stories of his adventures in the nearly 20 years since they saw him.
Known for his infectious smile and quirky storytelling, Zanardi was praised by Pope Francis after his 2020 crash as an example of strength in the face of adversity. Francis wrote a handwritten letter of encouragement to Zanardi and his family, assuring them to pray.
Zanardi’s family added: “We would like to thank everyone for their support at this time and ask for their respect during this mourning period.”
Funeral details have not yet been announced, the family said.
