Former Paralympic gold-medalist and F1 driver Alex Zanardi dies at 59 - ESPN

Four-time Paralympic gold-medalist and former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi has died. He was 59.

Born in Bologna, Zanardi competed in Formula 1 for five seasons and achieved a best finish of sixth at the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix before a major crash in 2001 resulted in both of his legs being amputated.

Zanardi recovered from his life-changing operation to become a Paralympic champion, firstly competing in the London Games in 2012 and claiming two gold medals in the para-cycling category before two more followed in Rio de Janeiro four years later.

A multiple winner at the UCI para-cycling Road World Championships and most recently in 2019 in Emmen, another serious accident a year later resulted in another lengthy layoff.

The death of Zanardi was confirmed Saturday and sparked an outpouring of tributes.

«The FIA is saddened to learn of the passing of Alex Zanardi, the former Formula 1 driver, two-time CART champion whose journey from life-changing accident to Paralympics gold medallist made him one of sport's most admired competitors and an enduring symbol of courage and determination,» a statement read.

Before Zanardi turned his hand to the CART championship he raced for Team Jordan, Minardi and Team Lotus in F1.

The switch to CART proved successful as he delivered consecutive championship successes for Chip Ganassi before a brief return to F1 with Williams.

Zanardi's crash in 2001 sent his career and life on a different trajectory, but success still followed in abundance.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali said in a statement: «I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Alex Zanardi. He was truly an inspirational person, as a human and as an athlete.

»I will always carry with me his extraordinary strength. He