The devastating crash back in 2001 might have left racing driver Alex Zanardi without the use of both his legs, but that does not spell the end of him in fulfilling his need for speed. The former ChampCar and Formula One driver did not only made a comeback in the racing world shortly after, he had also displayed his determination and willpower by bringing home a gold medal for Italy in the hand cycle road time trial at the recent London Paralympic Games.
As a professional racing driver, the lost of both his legs might have already spelt the end for his racing career. But Zanardi defied the odds as in 2003, he re-entered the racing world by competing in the FIA World Touring Car Championship for BMW and later on at the same year, took up hand cycling. And like his impressive wins in the WTCC (four wins and six additional podium finishes in five seasons), Zanardi paved his way in the hand cycling world with great momentum as he took home gold medals in various marathons at Venice, Rome City and New York.
“When it became clear he wanted to compete at the Paralympic Games, I knew straight away that he would make it. Alex loves challenges like that, and regularly pulls off the impossible”, said former BMW teammate Andy Piraulx.
Zanardi snatched the gold medal for the 2012 Paralympic Games after leaving the time trial runner-up Nobert Mosandi by a lengthy 27.14 seconds behind. And with this outstanding achievement, he now shifts his attention to the future motorsport events where he had shown interest in taking part in the Indianapolis 500 or famously known as the Indy 500, and possibly the DTM.
Zanardi is truly a great example in displaying the strength of the human will, regardless of the obstacles that lie ahead. We wish him all the best for the plans that he may have in the near future, and hopefully could have the opportunity in meeting such an incredible and inspiring figure one day.
