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Italy Mourns Former F1 Driver Paralympic Champion Alex Zanardi

5/3/2026

Summary

Alex Zanardi Dies

Italy confirmed former F1 driver and Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi died peacefully at home on May 1, 2026, aged 59.
After a 2001 Lausitzring crash amputated both legs, he switched to hand-cycling, winning golds at London 2012 and Rio 2016, and raced previously for Lotus and Williams, finishing sixth at the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix.
FIA president Stefano Domenicali and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a minute of silence at events to honor his legacy.

Summary

Zanardi Advances Adaptive Racing

Zanardi helped develop hand-controlled WTCC cars with BMW, a key step for adaptive racing technology.
He was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2014.
His “Obiettivo 3” charity provides equipment and training to disabled athletes, extending his advocacy beyond sport.
He entered the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2013 and the Long Beach Walk of Fame in 2022.

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Alex Zanardi Dies

Italy confirmed former F1 driver and Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi died peacefully at home on May 1, 2026, aged 59.
After a 2001 Lausitzring crash amputated both legs, he switched to hand-cycling, winning golds at London 2012 and Rio 2016, and raced previously for Lotus and Williams, finishing sixth at the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix.
FIA president Stefano Domenicali and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a minute of silence at events to honor his legacy.

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