A wide smile, dimples on his cheeks, and those slightly squinting eyes. If we close our eyes, that’s how Alex Zanardi comes to mind. And of course, wearing a racing suit – whether it was a Formula 1 suit, a Ganassi one, or the Italian handbike suit didn’t really matter.

Whether he had four wheels or three beneath him mattered even less. Because people like him – paraphrasing a famous songwriter from New Jersey – are, for better or worse, born to race.

Alex Zanardi is no longer with us. It feels strange to say it. He passed away on a spring day, when colours, scents, and the promise of an approaching summer burst forth in all their inevitability. Not just any day, because since 1994, May 1 has never been an ordinary date for motorsport. Even less so now.

But what was truly extraordinary was the story of a boy from Bologna, born in 1966 and raised in Castel Maggiore, in the Emilia plain. Close to a regional capital, yes, but still a modest town – provincial in every sense. Yet, in places like this, great things often occur.

His first laps in karts came at age 14, followed by a rapid climb to single-seaters. In 1988, he raced in Italian Formula 3; in 1991, Formula 3000; and that same year, his first taste of Formula 1 with Jordan.

Alessandro Zanardi, Jordan 191 Ford

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Zanardi made his debut at the Spanish Grand Prix, finishing ninth, and repeated the result in Australia. The following year, he raced briefly with Minardi, then with Lotus in 1993–1994.

“America is far away, on the other side of the moon,” sang Lucio Dalla, another son of Bologna. But the American dream is what crowned Alex. In 1995, Zanardi signed with Ganassi, beginning his epic run in the United States, winning two CART titles (now IndyCar). It was also the category that put him at the first great crossroads of his life.

On September 15, 2001, at the Lausitzring, with 13 laps to go, Zanardi lost control of his car exiting the pits due to fluids on the track. His car spun across the circuit and was struck by Alex Tagliani. In the impact, the Bologna driver lost both legs. His condition immediately appeared desperate, and despite the enormous blood loss and coming close to death, he survived.

At the Berlin hospital where he was admitted in critical condition, he was given last rites by the IndyCar chaplain – but Alex held on. After six weeks in hospital and 15 operations: Zanardi returned home to begin rehabilitation. A miracle, or perhaps simply his refusal to give up – his determination not to surrender.

Traits that had always defined the boy from Castel Maggiore, along with his sense of humour. The same humour he showed at the Autosprint Golden Helmets awards, when, just weeks after the Lausitzring accident, he stood up from his wheelchair and said on stage: “It’s been a long time since I’ve been this emotional. I’m so emotional my legs are shaking.”

There were tears, laughter, applause – for a young man in a sober grey suit, whose eyes said everything words could not.

Alex Zanardi, BMW Team RMR

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

From that moment on, a new life, a new career. Still, of course, with wheels to turn. He returned to racing cars in the World Touring Car Championship, but handcycling took centre stage.

The New York Marathon, then World Championships, and the London Paralympics in 2012, where he won two gold medals and one silver. Another triumph. When Alex decided something was for him, no one could match him.

Then life presented another turning point. On June 19, 2020, while taking part in a stage of the Obiettivo 3 relay – an event involving Paralympic handbike athletes – Zanardi lost control of his vehicle and veered into the opposite lane just as a truck approached. The inevitable collision caused extremely serious injuries.

His hospitalisation at the Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital was crucial in treating his injuries. Several delicate operations followed, then a transfer to a hospital in Padua. At the end of December 2021, he returned home, though not permanently.

After a further round of treatment in Ravenna, he returned home for good in late September 2022. From then on, there was a long and understandable silence about his condition – until today, when the terrible news of his passing at the age of 59 was shared.

Alex Zanardi

Photo by: BMW AG

“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Alessandro Zanardi, which occurred suddenly on the evening of yesterday, May 1,” read a statement released by his family on social media.

“Alex passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family. The family sincerely thanks everyone who has shown support in these hours and asks for respect for their grief and privacy at this time of mourning. Information regarding the funeral will be shared at a later date.”

They say that reading many books lets you live thousands of lives in one. But if there is a man who embodied this idea without needing to lose himself in countless pages, it was Alessandro Zanardi. He did it with strength, courage, and yes, also with pain – but always showing that smile we loved so much. And all those who followed his achievements and drew strength from his story will continue to remember it. Sometimes small gestures change a day. Sometimes they change a life.

And we are certain that Alex, through his courage and his actions, changed many.

The Motorsport.com editorial team shares in the grief of the Zanardi family – his wife Daniela and his son Niccolo – and extends its sincere condolences to them.

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– The Autosport.com Team