F1 and CART Legend Alex Zanardi Dies Aged 59

Motorsport legend Alex Zanardi has died aged 59, his family has announced.

"It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly on the evening of yesterday, May 1," a statement read.

"Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family. The family sincerely thanks everyone who has shown support in these hours and asks for respect for their grief and privacy at this time of mourning. Information regarding the funeral will be shared at a later date."

An Italian hero

The former Formula 1 driver, CART [IndyCar] champion, and Paralympic gold medalist had not made a public appearance since a horrific road traffic accident in June 2020. Zanardi collided with a truck while hand cycling in Italy and remained in the hospital for 18 months.

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… pic.twitter.com/CCMjUS7lbh
— FIA (@fia) May 2, 2026

In a storied motorsport career, Zanardi competed for some of the best teams in both F1 and America's CART series during the years of the IndyCar 'split'.

In F1, the Italian raced 41 times for Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams - the latter opportunity coming after his first stint in America.

That saw him become a two-time CART champion with Chip Ganassi, though his overtake on Bryan Herta at Laguna Seca entering the Corkscrew - a move affectionately known as 'The Pass' - is perhaps the most endearing memory of his time in the United States.

After a pointless season with Williams back in F1 in 1999, Zanardi returned to CART in 2001, having spent 2000 on the sidelines.

Alex Zanardi | Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images

But his career would take a harrowing turn at the Lausitzring in September that year as, exiting the pits, Zanardi would spin when trying to return to the oval, being hit by Alex Tagliani who was traveling at top speed.

Zanardi's legs were amputated on impact and with a broken pelvis and severe blood loss, he was placed in an induced coma.

Having recovered, Zanardi forged a new sporting career, becoming a top-level hand cyclist, claiming two Paralympic gold medals in the H4 class at London 2012 - the first of which was perhaps poetically taken in the road time trial at British racing venue Brands Hatch.

In the Rio Paralympics four years later, Zanardi won gold in the H5 road time trial and the H2-5 mixed team relay. He also won a silver medal at both Paralympics, as well as 12 gold medals at World Championships.

Alex Zanardi (@lxznr) wins @Paralympics gold on eve of 15-year anniversary of CART crash https://t.co/UFHxlS2Qt9 pic.twitter.com/Ov7Yn7WlNr
— NBC OlympicTalk (@NBCOlympicTalk) September 14, 2016

His affection for motor racing never waned though and having raced for BMW in touring cars in adapted machinery after his accident, Zanardi returned to an F1 cockpit in an altered BMW Sauber in 2006.

Zanardi also competed at the 2019 Daytona 24 Hours in a BMW M8.

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