Ex-Formula One driver turned Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi dies aged 59

Zanardi, who lost his legs in a racing crash, was credited with helping transform the perception of disability in Italy.Alex Zanardi, the Italian Formula One driver who became a Paralympic cycling champion after losing both legs in an accident, has died aged 59, his family announced.Zanardi, one of his country’s most loved and respected sportsmen, who was credited with helping transform the perception of disability in Italy, died on Friday evening.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4United host Liverpool as battle for Champions League places heats uplist 2 of 4Pistons and Raptors survive while LA Lakers progress in NBA playoffslist 3 of 4Barcelona in sight of La Liga title a week before El Clasico with Reallist 4 of 4Cricket club bans social media comments to protect players’ mental healthend of listIn a statement issued on Saturday through the charity he founded, Obiettivo3, his family said he died “suddenly”, but also “peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends”.“The family would like to express ⁠their heartfelt thanks to all those who are showing their support at this time and ⁠asks that their grief and privacy be ⁠respected during this period of mourning.”Zanardi’s death comes six years after the four-time Paralympic gold medal winner suffered a second horror crash in June 2020, when his handbike crashed into an oncoming truck during a race in Tuscany.Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed Zanardi as “a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity”.Cordiano Dagnoni, head of the Italian Cycling Federation, said he “transformed the culture of our country, bringing joy and happiness to those fortunate enough to know him, and hope to so many in Italy and around the world”.He said there would be a minute’s silence observed at this weekend’s races in tribute to the athlete.Zanardi raced for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in F1 in the early 1990s before switching to the CART championship in the United States where he was series champion in 1997 and 1998.