Alex Zanardi, who died aged 59, became a modern emblem of resilience — a sportsman who repeatedly remade himself and inspired millions. He passed away on 1 May, nearly six years after suffering serious head injuries in a road accident while racing his handbike, closing a life defined by extraordinary comebacks and relentless optimism.
Zanardi’s first chapter was as a racing driver. After early, interrupted seasons in Formula 1 with Jordan, Minardi and Lotus between 1991 and 1993 — including a heavy concussion at Spa — he found his F1 prospects limited when Lotus folded in 1994. A move to the United States with Chip Ganassi’s CART operation in 1996 revived his career: he won twice in his rookie CART year and then claimed consecutive series titles in 1997 and 1998. A return to Formula 1 with Williams in 1999 did not work out, and he was released after a difficult season.
Back in CART in 2001 with a team run by former Ganassi engineer Mo Nunn, Zanardi suffered the defining catastrophe of his life. Four days after the 11 September attacks, while leading at Germany’s Lausitzring, he spun exiting the pits and was struck broadside by Alex Tagliani’s car at almost 200mph. The impact was
