On the 2nd May 2026, news broke that Alex Zanardi had passed away at 59-years-old. The Italian driver leaves behind an exceptional legacy in sports. From Formula 1 to CART to the Paralympics, Zanardi proved to be a formidable competitor and saw plenty of success.
His family announced that he “died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him.” The FIA has also commemorated him, calling Zanardi “an enduring symbol of courage and determination”. The Girls Who – Motorsport were sorry to hear of his death and are sending our thoughts to his family and loved ones. Here, we look at his life and legacy to remember him.
Formula 1, CART, and A Life-Changing Accident
After success in the Italian Formula Three and European Formula Three Cup, Zanardi joined Formula 1 in 1991 with Team 7UP Jordan. He remained in the sport until 1994, before returning briefly in 1999. Racing for Minardi, Lotus, and Williams, Zanardi only scored one point and, unfortunately, never had the machinery to prove his talent.
In 1996, he went Stateside to join the CART Championship, the predecessor to today’s IndyCar. This series is where the Italian began to shine as he drove for Chip Ganassi. Across four seasons, he won 15 races with 28 podiums and 10 pole positions. In 1997 and 1998, he took dominant championship victories in the series, cementing his name in American Motorsports history.
After a brief return to Formula 1 in 1999, Zanardi returned to CART in 2001 with Mo Nunn Racing. Unfortunately, this year would change his life. In the 16th round at the Lausitzring in Germany, he lost control of his car after a pit stop, spinning into Patrick Carpentier and crashing. This crash saw him lose both legs, becoming a double amputee.
Returning to Competing
Following his rehabilitation, Zanardi designed and built his own custom prosthetic limbs. This allowed him to return to racing, which he did just two years after the accident. Utilising hand-control technology in his car, the Italian entered the world of Touring Cars. And his disability didn’t hold his talent back, winning the Italian Superturismo Championship in 2005.
Both Zanardi didn’t stick to racing completely and decided to take up handcycling. After four weeks of training, he competed in the 2007 New York City Marathon, finishing fourth in the handcycle division. This began a new start for the driver, joining the Para-Cycling Road World Championships. In 2012, he joined the Italian team at the Summer Paralympics and won gold in the Men’s Road Time Trial.
With a passion for sports and a competitive mind, Zanardi involved himself in many disciplines. After competing in the handcycling division, he started competing in marathons using his wheelchair, winning the Venice Marathon and the Rome City Marathon. 2018 saw a new challenge for the Italian driver as he took on the Ironman World Challenge. Coming fifth overall, he broke the world record in the disabled people category, with a time of 8:26:06.
A crash at the 2020 Obiettivo Tricolore Italian National Road Race saw the end of his professional career. Sustaining serious head injuries, doctors placed Zanardi in a medically induced coma. 18 months later, he was able to return home. However, he didn’t return to professional sports.
Alex Zanardi’s Legacy
After a long career, Alex Zanardi is a legend within sports. He will be remembered for his drive to compete, his successes, and how he paved the way for disabled people within sports. From the Motorsports Hall of Fame to the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, he holds a host of awards and honours that keep his presence alive in the sporting world.
“The inspiration that he gives to other disabled people that, no matter what happens to you in life, you can smash down the barriers that you perceive are in front of you and go on to achieve your dreams.”
~ Team BRIT Driver Aaron Morgan on Zanardi’s impact in the sport.