Alex Zanardi, former F1 drive and Paralympic champion, dies aged 59

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Alex Caparros/Getty Images for IRONMAN Share articleFormer Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi, who later became a Paralympic gold medallist, has died at the age of 59. The Italian, who raced in Formula One from 1991 to 1994 and again in 1999, was involved in a motor racing accident in September 2001 at the Lausitzring track in Germany which resulted in both his legs being amputated. “It is with deep sorrow ​that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly yesterday ‌evening,  May 1,” read a statement from Zanardi’s family on Saturday. “Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him.” The Bologna-born driver represented Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in F1 but switched to race in the U.S. Cart championship, which he won in 1997 and 1998, before a brief return to F1. After his 2001 injury, Zanardi took up para-cycling and won two gold medals at the 2012 Paralympics in London, a feat he replicated four years later in Rio de Janeiro. Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni said the nation had lost “a great champion and an extraordinary man, who was capable of turning every challenge of life into a lesson in courage, strength, and dignity.” L’Italia perde un grande campione e un uomo straordinario, capace di trasformare ogni prova della vita in una lezione di coraggio, forza e dignità. Alex Zanardi ha saputo rimettersi in gioco ogni volta, affrontando anche le sfide più dure con determinazione, lucidità e una forza… pic.twitter.com/nxqMtAlhjk — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) May 2, 2026 Meloni added: “He gave all of us much more than a victory: he gave hope, pride, and the strength to never give up” The FIA, the governing body of motor sport, said in a tribute statement on Saturday that Zanardi was “one of sport’s most admired competitors and an enduring symbol of courage and determination.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms