Alessandro Zanardi

[donthaveanickname]

Sad news as former F1 driver, CART champion, WTCC race winner and four-time Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has passed at the age of 59.

His comeback from near-fatal injuries he suffered at the 2001 Lausitzring CART race inspired people around the world.

RIP

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the-sports-world-is-in-mourning-alex-zanardi-has-died-at-the-age-of-59/10817209/

 

[Greg]

He was so courageous and worked so hard to overcome his injuries (that is an understatement, there are not enough words to articulate his courage)

RIP

 

[Tony_K]

An amazing athlete. I still have this image of him standing there eating a plate of pasta in between practice sessions at Portland. Sad his life has ended so early.

 

[TexasRaceLady]

His zest for life was inspirational. RIP, Alex.

 

[Hotrod]

Such an amazing human being that even Pope Francis
hand wrote him a letter.

'Noted for his infectious smile and fanciful storytelling, Zanardi was praised by Pope Francis after his 2020 crash as an example of strength amid adversity. Francis penned a handwritten letter of encouragement assuring Zanardi and his family of his prayers.'

MSN

 

[nickp]

Rest in Peace to the legend who made it a sweet time to tune in to watch racing in the late 1990s

 

[aunty dive]

 

[BobbyFord]

RIP
His life changing wreck was horrific.
He’s dancing in heaven.

 

[LewTheShoe]

Ciao e grazie, Alessandro. Godspeed.

It was a fabulous auto racing career, but Alex Zanardi's greatest accomplishments came later, in my opinion, as he turned his indomitable spirit to handcycling. He won several of the world's premier marathons, including Venice, Rome, and New York City. At the 2012 Paralympics in London, Alex captured two gold medals and a silver. Four years later in Rio, he again took gold, gold, and silver. He became an inspiration for millions, indeed hundreds of millions.

 

[Iceman]

I made a graphic design project last fall about him, a movie poster concept, because I felt that his story deserved more attention and provided a shining example of human existence. History will always look back on Alex Zanardi highly favorably as a man who made no excuses and always defied the odds.