Alex Zanardi, an incredible fighter has left us (obituary)
05/03/2026
Italy has lost a figurehead of its sporting world in Alex Zanardi . It was not without reason that he was voted Sportsman of the Year in 2012. His successes will be remembered forever, as will his misfortunes.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke out: "Italy is losing a great champion and an extraordinary man who was able to turn every test of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity. Alex Zanardi always knew how to reorganize himself, to overcome even the toughest challenges with determination, clarity and an extraordinary strength of soul. With his sporting successes, his example and his humanity, Zanardi gave us all far more than just a victory: he gave us hope, pride and the strength to never give up.
Between 1991 and 1996, the Italian competed in a total of 41 F1 Grand Prix races with Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and, most recently, Williams. His success was moderate, with just one championship point to his name. However, he became a star in America when he won the CART championship twice in a row in 1997 and 1998.
The first stroke of fate came in 2001, when he lost both legs in a Champ Car accident at the Lausitzring and only narrowly escaped death. Despite this, Alex never lost his sense of humor and said after the accident that he was actually a German now because he had more German blood in him than Italian.
There was no giving up and so he fought his way back into the cockpit. In 2003, he returned to the Lausitzring and completed the 13 laps in a modified racing car that he had missed out on two years earlier. The spectators rose from their seats and applauded him. David Bowie's "Heroes" played from the loudspeakers.
Together with BMW, Zanardi later competed successfully in touring car racing.
At the same time, he became intensively involved in para-cycling. He won four gold medals on his handbike at the Paralympics in London 2012 and Rio 2016. In 2014 and 2015, he also took part in the Ironman in Hawaii on his handbike.
But fate struck again mercilessly, because just 20 years after his horror crash in Germany, he survived another serious accident in 2020 when he was hit by a truck during a handbike relay race in Tuscany. Zanardi suffered serious facial and skull injuries and had to be put into a prolonged artificial coma. He was only able to leave hospital again in December 2021.
For the Italian cycling federation Federciclismo, Zanardi was "the man who changed the perception of disability in Italy and was one of the strongest and most successful athletes of recent decades". To look back on the career of this great champion, from his first life in Formula 1 to his second, exciting life in the world of the Paralympics, is to tell the heroic story of a man who never stopped to look back, but always raised the bar and set new limits for us all."
All bad things come in threes, with another lengthy stay in hospital following a fire at his home in 2022 - but Zanardi never let all the tragic accidents get him down until his death on May 1, 2026 at the age of just 59.
The FIA also reacted with dismay: "The FIA is deeply saddened by the death of Alex Zanardi, the former Formula 1 driver and two-time CART champion whose journey from life-changing accident to Paralympic gold medalist made him one of the most admired athletes and an enduring symbol of courage and determination."
"He faced challenges that would have made anyone else give up, but he always looked forward - always with a smile and an unwavering determination that inspired us all," said Zanardi compatriot and Formula 1 Managing Director Stefano Domenicali: "Even though his loss is deeply felt, his legacy remains unbroken."
I was able to get to know Alex personally in the DTM at BMW. He polarized with his successes and his incredible fighting spirit, but he never lost his sense of humour. He always kept his feet on the ground and always took the time to exchange a few words. When I wrote my first book "Inside Formula 1" in 2020, a chapter about this man entitled "Bad luck squared" was an absolute must. I contacted Alex by email and within a short time it came back with all the answers to my questions. I will never forget his last sentence: "So Daniel, I hope you have everything you need, because now I have to go to Tuscany, where I will be competing in a handbike relay race for training purposes for the Olympics ...". These were the last words I heard from him.
Our thoughts are with you, Alex, and your family!
