RIP Alex Zanardi 1966-2026

By Lizzie Pope
Obituaries
 | 3 May 2026
Classic & Sports Car – RIP Alex Zanardi 1966-2026

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.”

Classic & Sports Car – RIP Alex Zanardi 1966-2026

Zanardi’s first F1 drive was with Jordan © Newspress

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.

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.

Classic & Sports Car – RIP Alex Zanardi 1966-2026

Two CART championships made an indelible mark on motorsport history © Newspress

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.

At Lausitzring in Germany on 15 September 2001, Zanardi had been fighting from the back of the grid when he lost control of his car upon exiting the pit lane, because of fluids on the race track.

The resulting crash and enormous loss of blood left him in a critical condition and lead to both his legs being amputated.

But after weeks in hospital and multiple operations, his refusal to give up saw one of the greatest sporting turnarounds.

Classic & Sports Car – RIP Alex Zanardi 1966-2026

Zanardi won with BMW in the WTCC and was the first double amputee to test drive an F1 car © BMW

Zanardi got back behind the wheel of a racing car and claimed four victories for BMW in the World Touring Car Championship from 2005-’09.

He undertook a whole new sporting career in handcycling, his talent, commitment and dedication rewarded with two gold medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, then two more and a silver in Rio de Janeiro, four years later.

He also completed several long-distance triathlons, came home fourth in the New York Marathon and established a charity to assist young amputees without access to adequate care.

His second life-changing accident came in a handcycling competition in Tuscany on 19 June 2020, the injuries he sustained leading to his withdrawal from public life for rehabilitation.

Classic & Sports Car – RIP Alex Zanardi 1966-2026

During recovery, Zanardi designed his own prosthetics © BMW

From CART glory to Paralympic golds, Zanardi’s passion was unstoppable, his light couldn’t be dimmed.

F1 held a minute’s silence in tribute ahead of Saturday’s sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix.

CEO of F1 Stefano Domenicali has called him “an inspirational person, as a human and as an athlete”.

“He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, yet he continued to look forward, always with a smile and a stubborn determination that inspired us all,” he added.

“While his loss is profoundly felt, his legacy remains strong.”