Former Formula 1 driver and two-times CART IndyCar champion Alex Zanardi champion has been taken to hospital following a crash during a handbike race.
Zanardi, pictured practising on his bike earlier this year, was participating in an event on a public road near the Tuscan town of Pienza. The Associated Press reported he was involved in a collision with a truck and was taken from the scene in an air ambulance to a hospital in Siena.The 53-year-old began competing on handbikes after both his legs were amputated following a crash in a CART race at the Laustizring in 2001. He won four gold medals in the Paralympics in 2012 and 2016.
He first raced in Formula 1 between 1991 and 1994, then made a highly successful moved to racing in America, taking back-to-back CART titles with Ganassi in 1997 and 1998. The following year he made a comeback to Formula 1, but endured a difficult season at Williams, and left the team at the end of the season. He returned to CART in 2001, but came close to losing his life in his September crash in Germany.
As well as his successful career on hand bikes, Zanardi has also raced touring car and GT machinery since his crash. Earlier today he announced plans to participate in the Italian GT Championship’s season finale at Monza in November. He intended to share a modified BMW M6 GT3 with Stefano Comandini and Marius Zug.
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Kyle (@hammerheadgb)
19th June 2020, 18:20
:(
Hoping that it’s not too serious and for a full and speedy recovery.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
19th June 2020, 18:31
@hammerheadgb
The news coming from Italy are very bad indeed, he is in a very serious condition. However, knowing Zanardi’s extraordinary determination, I’m very optimistic that he will thrive again this time. He’s done many times before.
petebaldwin (@)
19th June 2020, 18:57
The reports are very worrying – apparently lost control going downhill and veered onto the wrong side of the road hitting a lorry. Hope it’s not as bad as it sounds.
Kyle (@hammerheadgb)
19th June 2020, 19:02
@tifoso1989 @petebaldwin
Very worrying indeed. Everything crossed that he overcomes this the way he has overcome so much before.
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
19th June 2020, 20:25
It sounds horrible.
According to the Express newspaper just now: “A medical bulletin released by the hospital said Zanardi’s condition is very serious due to severe cranial trauma.”
Hopefully the reports that say he was talking post accident before being transferred to hospital give us some positive hope.
Massively upsetting. Of all the people, he’s already been through so much. Thoughts with him and his family.
Tifoso1989 (@tifoso1989)
19th June 2020, 21:30
@petebaldwin,@hammerheadgb,@eurobrun
The head surgery in which Alex was subjected to ended nearly an hour ego, he’s in intensive care right now.
Forza Zanardi !
Paul Duggan
19th June 2020, 23:26
Forza Zanardi indeed.
Fer no.65 (@fer-no65)
19th June 2020, 19:16
Oh, man… Frightening news… I love Alex, I hope he recovers…
To think last wednesday the F1 podcast interviewed him…
Christopher Gill
19th June 2020, 19:28
Alex is such a lovely guy, i have met him on a number of occasions and he is funny, kind and very entertaining; i really hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery.
DAllein (@)
19th June 2020, 19:29
Photos and videos circulating online show that the bike is ok – not smashed to pieces, not bent, even wheels are perfectly round…
Of course it doesn’t tell much, but I really do hope everything is not that bad.
DAllein (@)
19th June 2020, 20:38
“undergoing a delicate neurosurgery”
:(
Fight, Alex!
Robbie (@robbie)
19th June 2020, 20:00
As above, keeping only positive thoughts for this amazing man.
Broke84 (@broke84)
19th June 2020, 20:03
I really hope he is ok. Only yesterday I commented on the podcast article to my wife saying what a hero he is. I really hope all is well.
James Norris
19th June 2020, 20:07
Thats awful news, Alex is an inspiration to so many people… My thoughts and wishes are with him and his family
HOLMZINI
19th June 2020, 20:59
Lives his life with dignity and respect.
To suffer as he has and then become a model of how through great loss one still can climb to levels that not are not only to be admired but to reflect the pure quality of this mans existence. Walk a mile in his shoes and then you may learn how tall he stands amongst all of us.
If each of us could find his strength to over come any challenge we face then I think we would be better for it.
Thanks for the gift you’ve given us.
Much Love back, find the patience to heal as there is more to do
Ben (@1nkling)
20th June 2020, 7:37
A very true sentiment. Hopefully he has a bit more left in those pools of inner determination for this latest challenge and comes back fighting again.
Not sure the walking a mile in his shoes metaphor works in this case though. :)