Alex Zanardi was born in 1966. He is a racing driver, paracyclist and successful TV presenter. A man of may resources who faced numerous challenges and successfully returned to the racing track in as short a time as possible, not only as a competitor, but as a winner.
From his childhood in Bologna to his earliest kart victories. Alex was born in Bologna on 23rd October 1966. His father was a plumber, his mother was a housewife and shirt-maker. At the tender age of 13 he first began racing with his kart, garnishing an impressive number of victories and prizes, until entering Formula 3 and winning a championship in 1990.
Formula 1 and the tragic accident. Zanardi began competing in Formula 1 in 1991, first with Jordan, then with Lotus. Over the next few years the racing driver faced a number of set backs, but never failed to return with his head held high. He was involved in a serious accident in 1993,only to face the bankruptcy of Lotus, resulting in his temporary withdrawal from Formula 1. Yet he never stopped racing. He made his début in Formula Cart, garnishing an impressive array of victories and becoming increasingly popular on the USA circuit. In 1998 he briefly returned to Formula 1, without achieving significant results, so he resolved to dedicate himself to Formula Cart. On 15th September 2001, upon exiting the box at the Lausitzring, Alex crashed into Alex Tagliani. Both car and river were literally torn apart upon the violent impact.
A new lease of life for Alex Zanardi. After 16 operations and 7 cardiac arrests, it can truly be said that Alex Zanardi experienced a rebirth. After a long and challenging rehabilitation, in 2003 Zanardi returned to the German circuit to symbolically complete the 13 laps of the 2001 race he was unable to finish, on-board a specially modified vehicle. He clocked up a truly impressive time and was inspired to return to racing in 2005. Alex went on to compete in five more championships and obtain numerous victories, right up until his retirement in 2009.
An unstoppable sportsman. After closing the WTCC, Alex resolved to focus on his latest passion, handbike, a three-wheeled bike powered by the arms. His début at the 2007 New York Marathon, was truly impressive: he achieved 4th place. This victory heralded Alex’s new career, indeed the athlete has since gone from strength to strength, clocking up an impressive number of medals at marathons, world races and the Paralympics. In 2014 he even took part in a gruelling Ironman competition.
Zanardi shows us how both in sports and life “disability is a relative factor” and can never strip us of our intimate desire for self-improvement. And, why not, in addition to self-recovery, Zanardi’s story also teaches us that determination and curiosity enables us to improve the lives of other people too.
La Gazzetta dello Sport – Zanardi 2001, l’incidente e la seconda vita. “Fu l’opportunità più grande”
Il Post – La storia di Alex Zanardi
Sky Sport – Dall’incidente a Rio, la vita di Superman Zanardi