The sporting world has lost one of its most determined, courageous and inspirational people with the death of Alex Zanardi, aged 59.
“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly yesterday evening, 1 May,” it was announced in a statement.
“Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him.”
After karting, came Italian Formula Three in 1988 and then Formula 3000 in 1991, the same year in which he got his first chance behind the wheel of a Formula One car, courtesy of Jordan, finishing ninth at the Spanish Grand Prix.
Two CART championships made an indelible mark on motorsport history © Newspress
His F1 career included stints with Minardi and Lotus, too, before he headed to America in 1995 to contest the CART series (now IndyCar).
Signed with Ganassi for the ’96 season, Zanardi secured pole in just his second race and was Rookie of the Year.
It was an impressive start and greatness was just around the corner, as he went on to be crowned champion in both 1997 and ’98.
In 1999 it was back to F1, this time with Williams, but it was only to be for a single season, after which he was eyeing a CART comeback.
