sports

Alex Zanardi, former F1 driver, dies at 59

Published May 2, 2026 · Updated May 2, 2026 · El País

Italian former Formula 1 driver Alex Zanardi died aged 59. He was best known for surviving a 1999 crash that left him paralyzed and then winning five Paralympic medals in handcycling.

Alex Zanardi, the Italian ex‑Formula 1 racer, died at 59 after a life marked by tragedy and triumph. In 1999 he lost both legs in a crash, but returned to the sport as a handcyclist, winning four golds and two silvers at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

Zanardi’s resilience earned him the nickname “Phoenix”; a famed photo shows him lifting his handbike above his head after a gold at Brands Hatch. saltysenoritaaz.com

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