Alex Zanardi

Racing driver, Para-cyclist

Italian Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

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Quick Info

ProfessionRacing driver, Para-cyclist
NationalityItalian
Date of Birth23/10/1966
Age59 years (died on 01, May, 2026)
BirthplaceBologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Date of Death01/05/2026

Latest News about Alex Zanardi

01/05/2026

Alex Zanardi, the legendary Italian racing driver and Paralympic champion, passed away on May 1, 2026, at his home in Padua, Veneto, Italy. He was 59 years old. Zanardi was a two-time CART champion, Formula 1 driver, and four-time Paralympic gold medalist in hand-cycling who became an inspiration worldwide after losing both legs in a 2001 racing crash and returning to competition.

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Bio/Wiki

Full NameAlessandro Leone Zanardi
NicknameThe Donut King
Famous forWinning medals in Paralympics after F1 crash

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 10" (178 cm)
Weight65 Kg (143 lbs)
Eye ColourBlack
Hair ColourSalt & pepper

Personal Life

ReligionChristianity
Food HabitNon-vegetarian

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Affairs/GirlfriendsDaniela Manni
Marriage Date1996
SpouseDaniela Manni

Family

Wife/SpouseDaniela Manni
Children
  • Son- Niccolo
  • Son - Niccolò
Parents
FatherDino Zanardi (Plumber)
MotherAnna (Shirtmaker)
SiblingsSister - Cristina (died at 15 years age)

Career

Highlights
  • Won three go-kart titles and the European championship in Italy
  • Debuted in International Formula 3000 in 1991
  • Won the CART Drivers' Championship in 1997 and 1998
  • Famous for his post-victory celebration which earned him the title of 'The Donut King'
  • Survived catastrophic CART crash at Lausitzring, Germany in September 2001 resulting in amputation of both legs
  • Returned to racing in 2003 with self-designed prosthetic legs and hand controls
  • Won four Paralympic gold medals in hand-cycling at 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics
  • Won 12 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships between 2013 and 2019
Formula 1
Years1991-1994, 1999
TeamsJordan, Minardi, Lotus, Williams
Starts41
Best Result6th place at 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix
CART
Years1996-2001
TeamChip Ganassi Racing
Championships1997, 1998
Rookie of the Year1996
Notable AchievementFamous pass on Bryan Herta at Laguna Seca Corkscrew in 1996
World Touring Car Championship
Years2005-2009
TeamBMW
Victories4
Italian Superturismo Title2005 with 8 wins
Para-cycling
Paralympic Gold Medals4
Paralympics2012 (London), 2016 (Rio)
UCI Road World Championships12
Years Active2012-2019

Social Media

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/zanardiofficial/
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/alexzanardiofficial
Twitterhttps://x.com/lxznr
Official Websitehttp://www.alex-zanardi.com/

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Zanardi was a native of Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
2. He started kart racing at the age of 13.
3. He made his first kart with items used by his father as a plumber.
4. He became widely recognized in the United States, even appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman.
5. After his 2001 crash, he designed and engineered his own prosthetic legs specifically for driving.
6. In 2003, he completed the 13 laps he never finished at Lausitzring, qualifying fifth for the actual race.
7. He won the Venice Marathon in 2009 and the Rome Marathon in 2010 in hand-cycling events.
8. He won the New York City Marathon handcycle event in 2011.
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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