• Death of Alex Zanardi at 59 after a remarkable sporting career
• Paralympic gold medals and world titles followed life-changing accident and leg amputation

Former Formula 1 driver and Italian Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has died at the age of 59, his family announced.

The family said in a statement: “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, who died suddenly on the evening of May 1,” adding that he “passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends.”

They also requested privacy during this period of mourning and expressed gratitude for the support received.

Zanardi began his Formula 1 career in the 1990s, racing for several teams before moving to the United States CART series, where he won back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998.

In 2001, he suffered a severe racing crash in Germany that led to the amputation of both legs, but he later returned to motorsport, securing four wins in the World Touring Car Championship with BMW between 2005 and 2009.

He then transitioned to handcycling, achieving major success in Paralympic sport, winning two gold medals at the London 2012 Games and repeating the feat at Rio 2016, alongside 12 world championship titles.

He also won the men’s para-cycling race at the New York Marathon in 2011.

In 2020, Zanardi sustained serious head injuries in a road accident during a handbike race in Italy.

The FIA described him as a symbol of courage and determination, highlighting his journey from a life-changing crash to becoming one of Paralympic sport’s most inspirational figures.