sports
Ex-Paralympian, F1 driver Zanardi dies at 59
Key takeaways
- Getty Four-time Paralympic gold-medallist and former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi has died aged 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.
- 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 lay-off.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Alex Zanardi's death was confirmed on Saturday. Getty Four-time Paralympic gold-medallist and former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi has died aged 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.
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