Alex Zanardi: Former Formula 1 driver and Paralympic gold medallist dies aged 59

Former Formula 1 driver and Paralympic gold medallist Alex Zanardi, whose career was marked by two life-altering accidents, has died aged 59.

Zanardi's family announced his death on Saturday, saying he passed away on Friday night.

"Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him," the family said in a statement without providing a cause of death.

In 2020, Zanardi was seriously injured in a handbike accident after crashing into an oncoming truck during a relay event in Tuscany.

Zanardi suffered serious facial and cranial trauma in the crash and was put in a medically-induced coma.

Nearly 20 years earlier, Zanardi lost both of his legs in an auto racing crash.

'Italy loses a great champion'

"Italy loses a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every challenge of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity," Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said on social media.

"Alex Zanardi knew how to bounce back every time, facing even the toughest challenges with determination, clarity and a strength of spirit that was truly exceptional," Meloni added.

"With his sporting achievements, with his example and with his humanity, he gave all of us much more than a victory: he gave hope, pride, and the strength to never give up. On behalf of myself and the government, I extend my heartfelt thoughts and the sincerest closeness to his family and to all those who loved him. Thank you for everything, Alex."

Zanardi won two championships in CART In the United States before a brief move to Formula 1.

He returned to America and was racing in Germany in a CART event in 2001 when both of his legs were severed in a horrific accident the weekend after the September 11 terrorist attacks.

CART raced only because the series was already in Germany at the time of the attacks and could not return to the US.

During his recovery, Zanardi designed his own prosthetics - he joked that he made himself taller - and learned to walk again.

'A smile and a stubborn determination that inspired us all'

He then turned his attention to hand cycling and developed into one of the most accomplished athletes in the world.

He won four gold medals and two silvers at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, competed in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record.

His spirit, will and determination gave the beloved Italian a larger-than-life persona.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali said: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend Alex Zanardi. He was truly an inspirational person, as a human and as an athlete.

"I will always carry with me his extraordinary strength. He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, yet he continued to look forward, always with a smile and a stubborn determination that inspired us all."

Most revered driver

When he returned to the US in 2019 to compete for BMW at the Rolex 24 of Daytona without his prosthetics, he was the most revered driver in a field that included F1 champion Fernando Alonso.

Drivers from around the world sought out Zanardi for photographs and were transfixed as he told elaborate tales of his adventures in the nearly two decades since many had seen him.

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.

Zanardi's family added that it "thanks everyone who is sharing their support right now and asks for respect during this time of mourning".

Funeral details were still to be announced, the family said.