NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
The motor racing world mourns the loss of Alex Zanardi. The Italian Formula 1 driver, who later became Paralympic champion after two life-changing accidents, has died, his family announced on Saturday. He was 59 years old.
The family confirmed that loved ones were with Zanardi when he died. “Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of those close to him,” the family said in a statement. A cause of death was not provided.
Zanardi’s family also said “Thank you to everyone who is supporting you right now and asking for respect during this time of mourning.”
Zanardi was seriously injured in a 2020 handbike accident, colliding with an oncoming truck during a consignment event in Italy. He suffered facial and skin injuries and was placed in a medically induced coma.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GAMES FOXNEWS.COM
Alessandro Zanardi of Italy celebrates with his gold medal after winning the H4 category of the men’s individual road cycle at the 2012 Paralympics at the Brands Hatch motor racing circuit near London on September 5, 2012. (Alastair Grant/AP)
About twenty years earlier, Zanardi lost both of his legs in a car racing accident.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Zanardi at the X post, saying in part, “Italy has lost a great champion and an extraordinary man, able to turn every challenge of life into a lesson of courage, strength, and dignity. Alex Zanardi knew how to always bounce back, facing even the most difficult challenges with determination, clarity, and a truly strong spirit.”
Zanardi won back-to-back championships in CART in 1997 and 1998 in the US He then briefly returned to F1.
He finally made a comeback, racing in Germany at the CART event in 2001 when both of his legs were amputated in a horrific accident the weekend after the terrorist attacks on September 11. CART only raced because the series was already in Germany at the time of the attack and could not return to the US
FIGURE SKATER MAXIM NAUMOV MAKES OLYMPIC TEAM ONE YEAR AFTER BOTH PARENTS WERE MISSED AT DC BIBLE.
Zanardi was left in a coma for three days following the 2001 accident.
During his recovery, Zanardi designed his own prosthetics and learned to walk again. He then focused on hand cycling and developed into one of the most successful athletes in the world.
He won four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, ran the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record.
Driver Alex Zanardi (24) of the BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE, watches before the Rolex 24 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Jan. 26, 2019. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)
Zanardi used specially modified cars with hand throttle and brake controls to start racing again after the 2001 crash.
Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of F1, said he was “deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend,” calling Zanardi “a truly inspirational person, both as a person and as an athlete.”
“He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, yet he continued to look forward, always smiling and with a stubborn determination that inspired us all,” Domenicali added. “While his loss is deeply felt, his legacy remains strong.”
Alex Zanardi of Italy crosses the finish line at the IRONMAN 70.3 Emilia Romagna in Cervia, Italy, on September 22, 2019. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
After Zanardi’s 2020 accident, Pope Francis praised him as a symbol of strength in adversity and sent a handwritten letter offering encouragement and prayers.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Before Saturday’s F1 race in Miami Gardens, Florida, a moment of silence was observed for Zanardi. The Italian Olympic Committee also called for a moment of silence at sporting events across Italy.
Zanardi is survived by his wife, Daniela, and son, Niccolò.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on Xand register at Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
