History of Alex Zanardi in Timeline

Alex Zanardi is a celebrated Italian racing driver and paracyclist. He notably won the CART championship twice (1997, 1998) with 15 total wins in the series. He also participated in Formula One during the 1990s, securing a sixth-place finish as his best result. A severe accident in 2001 led to the amputation of his legs, but Zanardi demonstrated incredible resilience, returning to motorsports less than two years later. He competed in the European and World Touring Car Championships, achieving four wins. Zanardi's career showcases both racing talent and extraordinary determination in overcoming adversity.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 1966: Alex Zanardi's birth

Alessandro Leone "Alex" Zanardi was born on 23 October 1966.

Others born on this day/year

October 1966: Alessandro Leone Zanardi's birth

Alessandro Leone Zanardi was born in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy on 23 October 1966.

Others born on this day/year

1979: Death of Cristina Zanardi

In 1979, Alex Zanardi's sister Cristina, who was a swimmer, died in an automobile collision.

October 1995: Zanardi signs contract with Chip Ganassi Racing

On 23 October 1995, Zanardi signed a contract with Chip Ganassi Racing to drive in the CART Series after Reynard Commercial Director Rick Gorne secured him a test drive.

1996: Marriage to Daniela Manni

In 1996, Alex Zanardi married Daniela Manni, with whom he had a son.

1996: Presented with 1996 CART Laguna Seca-winning car

In 2013, At the Indianapolis 500 event he was presented with his 1996 CART Laguna Seca-winning car by Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

1997: Alex Zanardi's CART championship win

In 1999, the Alex Zanardi Edition Acura NSX was introduced for the U.S. market to commemorate Zanardi's two back-to-back CART championship wins for Honda in 1997.

July 1998: Zanardi signs with Williams

In July 1998, Alex Zanardi signed a three-year contract with Sir Frank Williams and Williams team, after contact in 1997.

1998: Alex Zanardi's CART championship win

In 1999, the Alex Zanardi Edition Acura NSX was introduced for the U.S. market to commemorate Zanardi's two back-to-back CART championship wins for Honda in 1998.

1999: Introduction of Alex Zanardi Edition Acura NSX

In 1999, the Alex Zanardi Edition Acura NSX was introduced for the U.S. market to commemorate Zanardi's CART championship wins. It featured revised suspension and a lighter build.

2000: New Formula Red Color Code replacement

In 2000 the New Formula Red Color Code: R-510 subsequently replaced Formula Red Color Code: R-77 in all markets from the year 2000 onward, to reflect the colour of the car he drove for Chip Ganassi Racing.

September 2001: Alex Zanardi's Accident at EuroSpeedway Lausitz

On 15 September 2001, during the American Memorial at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz, Alex Zanardi was involved in a major crash that resulted in the amputation of both his legs.

2001: Racing Accident

In 2001, Alex Zanardi sustained injuries from a racing accident, which led him to take up handcycling.

2004: Co-authored Books and Started Go-Kart Brand

In 2004, Alex Zanardi co-wrote two books based on his life, Alex Zanardi: My Story with Gianluca Gasparini and Alex Zanardi: My Sweetest Victory. He also started his own brand of go-karts in collaboration with CRG.

August 2005: Zanardi wins first world series race

On 24 August 2005, Alex Zanardi won his first world series race in the World Touring Car Championship, celebrating with "donuts".

November 2006: Zanardi tests Formula One car for BMW Sauber

In late November 2006, Alex Zanardi tested a Formula One car for BMW Sauber in Valencia, Spain, which had been adapted with hand controls. Zanardi noted the challenge of steering with his right hand while operating the throttle with his left.

2007: 4th Place in New York City Marathon

In 2007, Alex Zanardi achieved 4th place in the New York City Marathon in the handcycle division after only four weeks of training.

2009: Para-Cycling Road World Championships and Venice Marathon Win

In 2009, Alex Zanardi competed at the Para-Cycling Road World Championships and won the Venice Marathon in the category for disabled people, riding his wheelchair in a time of 1:13:56.

2010: Rome City Marathon Win

In 2010, Alex Zanardi won the Rome City Marathon in a time of 1:15:53.

2010: Nyck de Vries's KF1 World Championships

In 2010, his brand of go-karts in collaboration with CRG won Nyck de Vries's KF1 World Championships.

2011: New York City Marathon Win

In 2011, at his fourth attempt, Alex Zanardi won the New York City Marathon in his handcycling class.

2011: Nyck de Vries's KF1 World Championships

In 2011, his brand of go-karts in collaboration with CRG won Nyck de Vries's KF1 World Championships.

September 2012: Gold and Silver Medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games

On 5 September 2012, Alex Zanardi won a gold medal in the men's road time trial H4 at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Two days later, he won the individual H4 road race, and on 8 September 2012, he won a silver medal for Italy in the mixed team relay H1-4. He was later named one of "The Men of the Year 2012" by Top Gear and voted the best male athlete of the 2012 Paralympics.

November 2012: Zanardi tests BMW DTM touring car

In November 2012, Alex Zanardi tested a BMW DTM touring car, completing 32 laps of the Nürburgring, which rekindled his interest in motor racing.

2012: Targeting the 2012 Summer Paralympics

In 2012, Alex Zanardi stated that he was targeting a place in the Italian team for the Summer Paralympics.

2013: Expressed Interest in Returning to Auto Racing

In 2013, Before the Games in London, Alex Zanardi expressed interest in returning to auto racing for the Indianapolis 500; while this failed to pan out, at the event he was presented with his 1996 CART Laguna Seca-winning car by Target Chip Ganassi Racing.

January 2014: Zanardi returns to motorsport in Blancpain Sprint Series

In January 2014, it was announced that Alex Zanardi would return to motorsport in the 2014 Blancpain Sprint Series season, racing a BMW Z4 GT3 for Ravaglia's ROAL Motorsport team.

2014: Completion of the 2014 Ironman World Championship

In 2014, Alex Zanardi completed the Ironman World Championship with a time of 9:47:14, ranking 272nd overall. He used a handbike for the cycling section and a wheelchair for the running section.

September 2015: Announcement of Participation in the Berlin Marathon

In September 2015, Alex Zanardi announced that he would be taking part in the Berlin Marathon using a recumbent hand cycle.

2016: Gold and Silver Medals at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro

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

September 2018: Ironman World Record in Triathlon Competition

On 22 September 2018, in a triathlon competition in Cervia, Italy, Alex Zanardi broke the Ironman world record in the category of disabled people, with a time of 8:26:06.

June 2020: Serious Accident During Obiettivo Tricolore Race

On 19 June 2020, Alex Zanardi was involved in a serious accident while competing in the Obiettivo tricolore Italian national road race for paralympic athletes. He lost control of his handbike and veered into an oncoming truck, leading to severe facial and cranial trauma.

September 2020: Showing Signs of Interaction After Accident

In September 2020, it was reported that Alex Zanardi was showing signs of interaction but that his condition remained "serious", and that he had undergone several surgeries to reconstruct his face.

November 2020: Transfer to Hospital in Padua

In November 2020, Alex Zanardi was transferred to a hospital in Padua, which was closer to his home to continue his recovery.

December 2020: Regained Sight and Hearing

In December 2020, it was reported that Alex Zanardi regained his sight and hearing; he could also respond non-verbally to questions and shake hands on demand.

January 2021: Able to Speak Again Following Surgery

In January 2021, it was reported that Alex Zanardi was able to speak again following a waking surgery.

December 2021: Return Home After Rehabilitation

In December 2021, 18 months after the accident, Alex Zanardi was able to return home in order to continue his rehabilitation.

July 2022: Hospitalization After Fire at Home

In July 2022, Alex Zanardi was hospitalized after a fire broke out at his home in Italy due to a defect on his home's solar panels which damaged medical equipment he used while recovering from his hand-cycling crash.