Alex Zanardi died on May 1, 2026, at age 59.
Key points about the news:
- Multiple outlets reported his death, confirming the passing occurred in the evening of May 1, 2026, after a long battle following his 2020 handbike crash. [sources across Italian and international outlets reported the same date and age, e.g., Il Giornale, Motorsport.com, Autosport, Sky TG24, and others][1][2][3][4]
- The family issued a statement announcing his death and thanking supporters, with funeral information to be shared later.[2]
- Zanardi was a former Formula One driver, CART champion, and Paralympic gold medallist, who had undergone extensive treatment after the 2001 accident that caused the loss of both legs, and later became a Paralympic icon.[3][5][2]
If you’d like, I can pull together a concise timeline of his career milestones and the key moments from 2001 through 2026, with direct citations after each item.
Sources
%
www.corrierecesenate.itLeggi su Sky TG24 l'articolo Morto Alex Zanardi, l'ex pilota e atleta paralimpico aveva 59 anni
tg24.sky.itA soli 59 anni è morto Alex Zanardi, ex pilota di F1 e IndyCar e campione paralimpico. Dopo l'incidente del 2020 non era più riapparso in pubblico
www.formulapassion.itFormer F1 driver, CART champion and Paralympic gold medallist passes away nearly six years after 2020 crash
www.motorsport.comZanardi made his F1 debut in 1991 and later became a four-time Paralympic gold medallist after losing both his legs in a high-speed crash.
news.stv.tvLo sport italiano perde una delle sue icone più grandi. Alex Zanardi ci ha lasciati a 59 anni
www.ilfattoquotidiano.itL'annuncio della famiglia. L'ex pilota di Formula 1 aveva 59 anni. Dopo l'amputazione delle gambe, si era dedicato al paraciclismo vincendo 4 ori e 2 argenti ai Giochi di Londra 2012 e Rio 2016
www.ilgiornale.itThe sporting world mourns the Bologna-born CART champion and Paralympic gold medallist, who passed away on May 1 nearly six years after a terrible crash while taking part in a handbike relay
www.autosport.com