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Motorsport legend Alex Zanardi dies at 59

NEWS 02 May 2026 1 Mins

The Formula E family is mourning the death of racing legend Alex Zanardi, who has passed away at the age of 59.

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The Italian was a decorated driver, widely admired for his resilience, positivity, and achievements both before and after suffering life-changing injuries on-track. Zanardi leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that transcends sport.

Zanardi first rose to prominence as a racing driver, competing in Formula 1 during the 1990s and achieving further success in the American CART series, where he won back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998.

His career took a devastating turn in 2001 when a horrific crash at the Lausitzring resulted in the loss of both his legs and almost claimed his life. Despite the severity of his injuries, Zanardi’s determination became a defining part of his story.

Incredibly, he returned to motorsport within two years, racing touring cars with specially adapted vehicles and achieving further success.

However, his ambitions extended beyond racing. Zanardi reinvented himself as a para-athlete, taking up handcycling and going on to win multiple gold medals at the Paralympic Games, particularly in London 2012 and Rio 2016. His achievements made him an icon of perseverance and courage.

In 2020, Zanardi suffered another serious accident while competing in a handbike event, leading to severe head injuries and a long, difficult recovery process.

Tributes from across the sporting world highlight not only his accomplishments but also his character—his optimism, humility, and refusal to be defined by adversity. Zanardi inspired millions by demonstrating that setbacks can be overcome with determination and spirit, against all the odds.