Alex Zanardi was a former F1 racer, two-time CART champion and four-time Paralympic gold medallist who built a legacy across motorsport and para-cycling. By Divyam Dubey Alex Zanardi, the Italian racing driver and Paralympic gold medallist who built one of sport’s most remarkable careers across Formula One, CART and para-cycling, died on the evening of 1 May 2026 in Bologna. His family confirmed his death in a statement, saying he passed away surrounded by those closest to him. Born on 23 October 1966, Zanardi was 59. Also Read: F1 Official Sim Racing India Championship Announced in Partnership With Mumbai Falcons Born in Bologna and raised in Castel Maggiore, Zanardi developed a passion for motorsport at the age of 14 after receiving a kart from his father. His skill and determination quickly became clear in Italy’s junior racing categories, where his driving style earned him the nickname 'Parigino'. His progress through single-seaters eventually led him to Formula One, where he competed between 1991 and 1999. Although his time in F1 was challenging, his best result came with a sixth-place finish at the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix. Zanardi’s greatest success in motorsport came in North America, where he became a leading figure in the CART World Series with Chip Ganassi Racing. He won back-to-back CART titles in 1997 and 1998 and secured 15 race victories during his time in the championship. His achievements in the United States made him one of the series’ standout drivers. His life changed on 15 September 2001 during a CART race at Germany’s Lausitzring, where a major crash resulted in the amputation of both legs. Zanardi survived despite critical injuries and underwent numerous surgeries before beginning rehabilitation. Refusing to step away from competition, he returned to racing with hand-controlled cars and competed successfully in touring cars, DTM