History of Alex Zanardi in Timeline

Alessandro "Alex" Zanardi is a renowned Italian professional racing driver and paracyclist. He achieved significant success in CART, winning the championship in 1997 and 1998, with a total of 15 wins. He also participated in Formula One from 1991 to 1994 and briefly in 1999, achieving a best finish of sixth place. A tragic crash in 2001 led to the amputation of both his legs. Displaying remarkable resilience, Zanardi returned to racing in 2003, competing in the European Touring Car Championship and later in the World Touring Car Championship, where he secured four victories. His story highlights remarkable courage and perseverance in overcoming adversity.

October 1966: Birth of Alex Zanardi

Alex Zanardi was born in Bologna, Italy in October 1966.

1979: Death of Sister Cristina

Zanardi's sister, Cristina, died in a car accident in 1979.

1988: Karting Beginnings

Zanardi began racing karts at the age of 13 in 1988.

1989: Italian Formula 3

Zanardi competed in the Italian Formula 3 series in 1989.

1991: Formula One Debut

Alex Zanardi made his Formula One debut in 1991.

1991: Formula 3000 Debut and Success

Zanardi moved up to Formula 3000 in 1991, winning his debut race and finishing second overall.

1992: Minardi Drive

Zanardi had guest drives for Minardi in F1 in 1992.

1993: F1 Point, Injury, and Concussion

In 1993, Zanardi scored a point in F1, suffered a foot injury in a cycling accident, and sustained a concussion during practice.

1993: Lotus F1 Season

Zanardi drove for Lotus in the 1993 F1 season.

1993: Formula One Point and Injury

Zanardi scored his only F1 point at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 1993 but suffered injuries later in the season.

1994: Lotus Test Driver and Spanish GP

In 1994, Zanardi was a Lotus test driver and returned to racing in the Spanish Grand Prix, replacing the injured Pedro Lamy.

1994: Final Formula One Season

Zanardi competed in his final Formula One season with Lotus in 1994.

1994: Potential Benetton Opportunity

Zanardi realized he missed a potential opportunity to drive for Benetton in 1994.

October 1995: CART Test and Contract

In October 1995, Zanardi secured a test drive and subsequently signed a contract with Chip Ganassi Racing for the CART series.

1996: Marriage to Daniela Manni

Alex Zanardi married Daniela Manni in 1996.

1996: Laguna Seca Victory and "The Pass"

Zanardi won the final race of the 1996 CART season at Laguna Seca with a memorable overtake at the Corkscrew, known as "The Pass".

1997: Contact with Williams

Zanardi contacted Williams F1 team in 1997 expressing his availability for a contract.

1997: Dominant CART Season and Championship

Zanardi won five races in the 1997 CART season, securing the Drivers' Championship.

1997: CART Championship Victory

Zanardi won his first CART championship in 1997.

July 1998: Williams F1 Contract

Zanardi signed a three-year contract with Williams F1 in July 1998.

September 1998: Birth of Niccolò

Alex Zanardi's son, Niccolò, was born in September 1998.

1998: Autosport Gregor Grant Award

Alex Zanardi received the Autosport Gregor Grant Award in 1998.

1998: Second CART Championship

In 1998, Zanardi dominated the CART series, winning seven races and his second championship.

1999: Return to Formula One

Zanardi returned to Formula One racing in 1999.

2000: Interest in CART Return

In 2000, Zanardi expressed interest in returning to CART and tested for Mo Nunn.

2001: CART Crash and Amputation

A major crash during the 2001 American Memorial resulted in the amputation of Zanardi's legs.

2001: Return to CART with Mo Nunn

Zanardi signed with Mo Nunn Racing for the 2001 CART season.

2003: Autosport Gregor Grant Award

Alex Zanardi received the Autosport Gregor Grant Award for the second time in 2003.

2003: Return to Racing

Zanardi returned to racing in the European Touring Car Championship in 2003.

2004: Book Releases

In 2004, Zanardi co-authored two books about his life: "Alex Zanardi: My Story" and "Alex Zanardi: My Sweetest Victory".

2004: European Touring Car Championship

Zanardi competed in the European Touring Car Championship in 2004.

2005: World Touring Car Championship

Zanardi began competing in the World Touring Car Championship in 2005.

2005: Laureus World Sports Award

Zanardi was awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year in 2005.

2009: Last WTCC Season

Zanardi competed in his last World Touring Car Championship season in 2009.

September 2011: First International Handcycling Medal

Zanardi won his first senior international handcycling medal (silver) at the UCI World Road Para-Cycling Championships in September 2011.

September 2012: Paralympic Gold Medals

Zanardi won two gold medals and a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics in September 2012.

2013: Motorsports Hall of Fame Induction

In 2013, Zanardi was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.

2014: Ironman World Championship

In 2014, Alex Zanardi completed the Ironman World Championship, using a handbike and wheelchair, finishing 272nd overall and 19th in his age category.

September 2015: Berlin Marathon Announcement

In September 2015, Alex Zanardi announced his participation in the Berlin Marathon using a recumbent hand cycle.

2015: Gazzetta Legend Award

Alex Zanardi received the Gazzetta Legend Award in 2015.

September 2016: Rio Paralympics Medals

Zanardi won a gold and a silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics in September 2016.

2016: Paralympic Medals

At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Zanardi won gold in the H5 men's time trial and mixed team relay, and silver in the road race.

September 2018: Ironman World Record

On September 22, 2018, Alex Zanardi broke the Ironman world record for disabled athletes in Cervia, Italy, with a time of 8:26'06, also finishing fifth overall.