The past race weekend in Miami was overshadowed by the sudden death of former F1 driver Alex Zanardi. The remarkable Italian (59) was commemorated with an official moment of silence on the grid ahead of the main race. Winner Kimi Antonelli – who considered Zanardi a ‘family friend’ – dedicated his victory two hours later to the late driver: “He was truly a role model.”
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“I dedicate this victory to Alex Zanardi,” Antonelli said in Miami. Both grew up in Bologna, Italy, and maintained a good relationship. “He was a good family friend and it was terrible to hear the news. I wanted to win for him.” Zanardi’s remarkable life story – one of perseverance and determination – has inspired many, including Antonelli. “After everything he had to endure in his life, I really see him as an inspiration,” the Mercedes driver explained. “How he came back after that accident was incredible. He kept going, built a new life, and succeeded. For me, he was a role model who never gave up. It was truly sad to hear this.”
Perseverer
Zanardi made a name for himself in the 1990s in Formula 1, where he raced for teams like Jordan, Minardi, Lotus, and Williams. In total, he competed in 41 Grands Prix, but his greatest successes came in the American CART Series, where he was champion in 1997 and 1998 with Chip Ganassi Racing. His career took a dramatic turn in 2001 when he was involved in a severe accident during a race at the Lausitzring, resulting in the loss of both legs. While this would have meant the end of a career for many, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for Zanardi.
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In 2020, however, he was again the victim of a serious accident, this time during a handbike race on a public road, where he suffered severe head injuries. After a long medical battle, he eventually returned home and largely withdrew from the public eye.
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