Formula 1 has a new hero
09/11/2012
While a good week ago in current F1, Romain Grosjean in a Lotus caused a mass collision at the start of the Belgian GP at La Source, the first corner of Spa-Francorchamps, and just a week later one of the drivers torpedoed at Spa, Sergio Pérez, took second place for the Sauber team with a sensational drive at the Autodromo di Monza, a former Formula 1 driver became a beaming hero in the background.
All current events completely lose their significance when you hear or read the news: "Alex Zanardi wins his second gold medal at the London 2012 Paralympics."
Alex Zanardi, the man with the titanium will, no visible self-pity and always ready to have fun, wins gold twice in London on his handbike. Eleven years ago, two-time Indy Car champion Alex Zanardi lost both legs in the German 500 at the Lausitzring. Narrowly escaping death, he sat in the Champ Car converted for him in 2003 and completed the laps he had missed after his accident in 2001.
At the former Formula 1 race track in Brands Hatch, Alex Zanardi won the time trial for handbikes with a commanding lead of just under a second!
Michael Schumacher commented on Zanardi's success: "That's a very nice story. I followed it and was very happy for him. I think this is the greatest sporting success of Alex's career, despite his good time as a racing driver."
Lewis Hamilton added: "Congratulations and best wishes to my friend Alex Zanardi. He is not only one of the bravest, but also one of the nicest people I know. His successes at the Paralympics over the past few days have been very inspiring."
And Niki Lauda commented: "I had tears of joy in my eyes when I heard about Alex's successes. I know exactly what this man had to go through after his horror accident. We are similar, only he was hit much harder."
Beat Zehnder said: "Actually, every motorsport magazine should devote a double page to Alex in its coverage of the Italian GP."
But Mario Andretti tweeted the best words: "What we are witnessing here is simply incredible. I couldn't be prouder of Alex Zanardi, even if he was my son."
The Italian Alex Zanardi was born in Bologna on October 23, 1966. He made his F1 debut in the Jordan at the 1991 Spanish GP and drove his last Grand Prix in Japan in 1999. Unfortunately, he did not really enjoy success in formula racing, driving for Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams.
In 1996, he switched to the Chip Ganassi team in America in the Champ Car series, where he immediately became "Rookie of the Year" with three victories. He became famous for his overtaking maneuver against Brian Herta in the so-called "Corkscrew" corner at Laguna Seca. On the last lap of the race, he grabbed the leading Herta and won the race with a maneuver that became known as "The Pass".
He went on to win the Champ Car title in 1997 and 1998, long before the season was over.
He also raced and won as a leg amputee. In the WTCC, he drove a BMW converted for him between 2005 and 2009. On August 29, 2005, he won for the first time after his accident in Oschersleben, followed by two more victories in Istanbul in 2006 and Brno in 2008.
On November 25, 2006, Zanardi climbed into the BMW Sauber F1 and completed a test drive of 30 timed laps on the Valencia circuit. His left prosthesis had to be strapped to the brake pedal to prevent it from slipping due to centrifugal forces. He said to the mechanic: "Tighten it as tight as you can!" The mechanic yanked the strap with all his might, causing Zanardi to scream out loud, much to the mechanic's horror. Later, he demanded that the seat be pushed back by 2 to 3 cm. However, this was not possible, whereupon Zanardi said: "Then cut my legs shorter!"
The big "standing ovation" at this year's BMW Motorsport Party will once again, as in previous years, be guaranteed.
On behalf of Zwischengas, I would like to take a deep bow to this likeable man from Italy, congratulate him warmly and wish him continued success.
