Former F1 driver, Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi dies at 59

Alex Zanardi, the Italian Formula 1 driver who became a Paralympic cycling champion after losing both legs in a crash, has died at age 59, his family announced.

Zanardi, one of Italy's most beloved and respected athletes, is credited with helping change perceptions of disability in the country. He died on Friday evening.

In a statement released Saturday through the charity Obiettivo3 he founded, his family said he passed away "suddenly," but also "peacefully, surrounded by the loving arms of family and friends."

"The family sincerely thanks all those who have offered their support at this time and asks that their grief and privacy be respected during this period of mourning," the statement read.

Zanardi's death came six years after the four-time Paralympic gold medalist suffered a second horrific accident in June 2020, when his handcycle collided with an oncoming truck during a race in Tuscany.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised Zanardi as "a great champion and an extraordinary person who turned every challenge in life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity."

Cordiano Dagnoni, head of the Italian Cycling Federation, said he "changed the culture of our country, bringing joy and happiness to those who were lucky enough to know him, and hope to so many in Italy and around the world."

Dagnoni added that a minute of silence would be observed at races this weekend in memory of the athlete.

Zanardi raced for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in F1 in the early 1990s before moving to the CART championship in the United States, where he won titles in 1997 and 1998. He returned to F1 with Williams in 1999 before going back to CART.

Zanardi nearly died in a horrific crash in 2001 at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany, after which both of his legs were amputated. His car had stalled on the track after a spin and was hit by another car traveling at over 300 km/h (186 mph).

However, he became one of the most prominent figures in Paralympic sport, winning two gold medals at the London 2012 Games and two more in Rio de Janeiro four years later.

In June 2020, he suffered another terrible accident, this time in Tuscany. He sustained severe head injuries and only returned home 18 months later.

Zanardi, born in Bologna on October 23, 1966, is survived by his wife Daniela and son Niccolo.