Alex Zanardi passed away on Friday May 1, aged 59.
A two-time IndyCar champion where his career will be remembered for his famous pass on Bryan Herta in the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca in 1996, Zanardi's career was altered after suffering an accident in 2001 at the Lausitzring in Germany. Losing both legs in an accident while leading with 13 laps to go, Zanardi proceeded to train and return to competition two years later in touring cars. While he returned to a race car, Zanardi also turned into a para-cyclist, where he became a four-time Paralympic gold medalists. In 2020, he sustained a severe cranial injury in a hand-cycling accident after a collision with a vehicle.
A remarkable man has left us.
In more ways than most, Zanardi was an inspiring figure.
In a race car, he was a menace, thrashing the competition with blinding speed and zero fear. His first foray in Formula One produced a single point, but coming to America blossomed a sensational career. He capped off his rookie yea with one of the most memorable passes ever seen, but Zanardi dazzled us for three seasons. He won the championship with ease in his second season. He caused another nightmare for Herta at Long Beach with a late pass for the win after Zanardi started outside the top ten. He was a part of a memorable 230mph ballet at Michigan with Greg Moore and Jimmy Vasser. Zanardi's second title might be more impressive than the first. He clinched it with four races remaining, one of only six times since 1946 an American open-wheel championship has been claimed with that many races remaining. No one has taken a title with that many races remaining since.
The Lausitz accident nearly took his life. It is miraculous it didn't. For all he lost that day, Zanardi didn't stop him from greatness.
Less than two years after his accident, Zanardi returned to the cockpit at the Lausitzring and completed the 13 laps he was unable to finish in that 2001 race. Later that year, he was back competing in touring car racing. On August 28, 2005, just under four years after his accident, he was a winner again, ironically enough, in Germany, taking a World Touring Car Championship race in Oschersleben. He also won the Italian touring car championship that year. The WTCC was a wonderful place for Zanardi to fill his competitive fire and show the talent remained.
Taking a pause from competing in a race car, Zanardi developed as a hand-cyclist, first competing in marathons before developing as a world-class talent and attempting the Paralympics. In 2012, he won two gold medals competing in the London Games. The hand-cycling events were fittingly held at Brands Hatch. Four years later, he won two more gold medals in Rio.
While he was claiming gold, he could not stay out of a race car, and returned to competition in 2014. For the next five years Zanardi mainly competed in sports cars, taking a victory in the Italian GT Championship, but he notably made a start in the 2019 24 Hours of Daytona while also competed in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
Anytime you heard about what Zanardi was accomplishing, it was difficult not to be motivated. A man who by all means could have hidden from the world continued to live on the brightest stage. He did the unthinkable while a glowing smile on his face, and he only made you think anything was possible.
His hand-cycling accident in 2020 was devastating to hear, and it stole a beacon of hope from this world. Zanardi had already lost one career. Then he lost a second. After being such a public figure, Zanardi's final years remained private.
It has been difficult to think about the last few years and what Zanardi would have achieved had the 2020 accident had never happened. There was going to be another Paralympics in 2021. He was still thrilled driving a race car and embracing challenges. Where would he have gone? Le Mans? Indianapolis? He wasn't done.
What we did not get to see does not take away the wonderful moments we had, and few in motorsports have lived as fulfilling of a life. For everything Zanardi faced, it never stopped him from chasing glory. He looked to be better after each day.
Motorsports aside, not many people have been a better role model. For all the adversity one can face, Zanardi is the reminder it can be overcome. It does not matter how tough it can be. It does not have to stop you. It is not the end. It might not be easy, but it is possible to get up each day and still strive for whatever you wish to accomplish. With dedication, our dreams are obtainable.
Alex Zanardi's life gave you a reason to get out of bed every morning. May his memory continue to drive you.
