Alex Zanardi Wiki – Alex Zanardi Biography
Pope Francis has written a heartfelt letter to Alex Zanardi, paying tribute to the former Formula One driver and Paralympic champion who is in a medically-induced coma after suffering a severe head injury in a crash during a hand-bike race.
The race was part of a two-week relay event throughout Italy to promote the country’s revival after the coronavirus pandemic.
It was created by an association led by Zanardi with the aim of bringing more Italians to the Paralympics.
Zanardi raced for Jordan, Minardi, and Lotus in F1 between 1991-94 before winning two championships in CART in the United States, and then making a brief return to Formula One with Williams.
He returned to America and was racing in Germany in a CART event in 2001 when both of his legs were severed in the horrific accident the weekend after the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The 1978 F1 world champion Mario Andretti tweeted: ‘I am so frightened about Alex I’m holding my breath.’
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte tweeted: ‘You have never given up and with your extraordinary fortitude you have overcome a thousand difficulties.
‘Come on Alex Zanardi, don’t give up. All of Italy is fighting with you.’
The Williams F1 team said: ‘Alex is one of life’s truly inspirational people and as we all know, a fighter through and through.’
Alex Zanardi Age
Alex Zanardi is 53 years old.
Zanardi Son
Zanardi’s son, Niccolo, has posted a picture on Instagram of him holding onto his father’s hand, with the caption: ‘I’m not letting go of this hand. Come on dad, even today a small step forward.’
Alex Zanardi Bike Accident
Friday’s accident came when the Italian lost control of his hand-bike during a national race for Paralympic athletes in the Italian town of Pienza.
Zanardi veered into oncoming traffic before being hit by a large truck that smashed his face. He suffered facial and cranial trauma, doctors said.
‘Zanardi spent the night in conditions of cardio-respiratory and metabolic stability. Organ functions are adequate,’ the hospital announced in a statement on Sunday.
‘The ongoing neuromonitoring has shown some stability but this data must be taken with caution because the neurological picture remains serious,’ the statement concluded.
‘The current conditions of general stability still do not allow to exclude the possibility of adverse events and, therefore, the patient remains in a reserved prognosis.’
Prosecutors in Siena have opened a criminal investigation into the accident and the race’s organization – specifically whether enough safety precautions were taken.
About 10 riders were escorted by one police vehicle, local reports said.
Witnesses have said that the accident occurred on a downhill section just before a curve in the road.
Zanardi apparently lost control and veered into the oncoming lane. The truck apparently tried to swerve out of the way but couldn’t avoid the crash.
The truck driver, who was placed under investigation, tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
‘The truck didn’t make a mistake. Alex made the mistake,’ said national team coach Mario Valentini, who was following the race.
Zanardi Remains in a Coma
Pope Francis has written a heartfelt letter to Alex Zanardi, paying tribute to the former Formula One driver and Paralympic champion who is in a medically-induced coma after suffering a severe head injury in a crash during a hand-bike race.
Zanardi’s condition remains ‘stationary’ according to the latest statement from the Santa Maria alle Scotte Hospital in Siena where he has been treated since Friday’s awful incident in Tuscany. ‘The patient is always sedated, intubated and mechanically ventilated and the prognosis remains confidential,’ it read.
Zanardi, 53, had both legs amputated following a horrific Indycar crash nearly 20 years ago but had battled back to win four gold medals and two silvers at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, compete in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record in his class. He also designed his own prosthetics and learned to walk again during his recovery.
La Gazzetta Dello Sport published Pope Francis’s hand-written letter, in which he said: ‘Your story is an example of how to start again after a sudden halt. Through sport you have demonstrated how to live life as protagonists, making disability a lesson in humanity.
‘Thank you for giving strength to those who had lost it. In this painful moment I am close to you, I pray for you and your family. May the Lord bless you and Our Lady keep you.’
