Former F1 driver Alex Zanardi won a gold medal at the London Paralympic games, competing in the H4 hand cycling time trial.
Zanardi had 2 stints in Formula 1, first between 1991 and 1994, with the second stint being with Williams in 1999. Alex was involved in a horrific CART crash in 2001 whilst racing in Germany. The resulting injuries were the amputation of Alex's legs, but that did not stop him racing.
After racing in CART and F1 before the crash, he returned to motors port in 2005. It was an inspiring moment and Zanardi's true passion for motorsport shone through. He first raced in the European Touring Car Championship, before it turned into the World Touring Car Championship for the following year.
Zanardi clinched his first WTCC win at the Lausitzring circuit, racing a modified BMW Team Italy/Spain. He raced in the series for 4 more seasons, scoring 8 more podiums (which includes his 3 other WTCC wins). His passion and drive to keep racing has been truly spectacular and moving to see.
During his time in the WTCC series, Zanardi also completed the remaining 13 laps of the Lausitz track where he suffered the life changing crash. He drove a modified CART car, which had hand pedals to operate the accelerator and brakes. Despite the tragedy that occurred, he still raced the 13 laps at a flat out speed. It was like he had never been away from the car. He also tested a similarly modified BMW Sauber F1 car in Valencia, Spain.
After starting to compete in hand cycling, Zanardi set himself the aim of getting selected for the Italian London 2012 Paralympic squad. He worked hard and was completely focused on the aim. He won the Venice Marathon's disabled category in 2009, as well as the Rome City Marathon the next year.
After 4 attempts of winning the hand cycling class of the New York Marathon, he did it in 2011. These were all warm ups for the Paralympic's, where he was picked to represent his country in London.
Today (September 5th 2012) was the day that Zanardi had been training for. He raced in the H4 mens road time trial and won the gold medal, with a time of 24 minutes,50 seconds. The event was held on the undulating Brands Hatch race circuit, somewhere that Zanardi knew well. He raced in the F3000 series and took 2nd place at the Kent circuit. He also finished 3rd in the 2008 WTCC race held there.
Zanardi said after winning gold This is a great accomplishment, one of the greatest of my life, i worked very hard to get here. It was great to live such an experience at 45. This moment also brings a little bit of sadness for an adventure the last two years. When you are 20, you appreciate medals. When you are 40, you appreciate what you do every day. I enjoyed every day of training. I've had a magical adventure and this is a fantastic conclusion."
Zanardi's commitment after such a shocking accident has been truly inspiring, to everyone. His story is incredibly moving and today's success is completely deserved. He is a true hero and has showed that no matter what, if you are focused and driven then you can achieve those aims that you set yourself.
Zanardi had 2 stints in Formula 1, first between 1991 and 1994, with the second stint being with Williams in 1999. Alex was involved in a horrific CART crash in 2001 whilst racing in Germany. The resulting injuries were the amputation of Alex's legs, but that did not stop him racing.
After racing in CART and F1 before the crash, he returned to motors port in 2005. It was an inspiring moment and Zanardi's true passion for motorsport shone through. He first raced in the European Touring Car Championship, before it turned into the World Touring Car Championship for the following year.
Zanardi clinched his first WTCC win at the Lausitzring circuit, racing a modified BMW Team Italy/Spain. He raced in the series for 4 more seasons, scoring 8 more podiums (which includes his 3 other WTCC wins). His passion and drive to keep racing has been truly spectacular and moving to see.
During his time in the WTCC series, Zanardi also completed the remaining 13 laps of the Lausitz track where he suffered the life changing crash. He drove a modified CART car, which had hand pedals to operate the accelerator and brakes. Despite the tragedy that occurred, he still raced the 13 laps at a flat out speed. It was like he had never been away from the car. He also tested a similarly modified BMW Sauber F1 car in Valencia, Spain.
After starting to compete in hand cycling, Zanardi set himself the aim of getting selected for the Italian London 2012 Paralympic squad. He worked hard and was completely focused on the aim. He won the Venice Marathon's disabled category in 2009, as well as the Rome City Marathon the next year.
After 4 attempts of winning the hand cycling class of the New York Marathon, he did it in 2011. These were all warm ups for the Paralympic's, where he was picked to represent his country in London.
Today (September 5th 2012) was the day that Zanardi had been training for. He raced in the H4 mens road time trial and won the gold medal, with a time of 24 minutes,50 seconds. The event was held on the undulating Brands Hatch race circuit, somewhere that Zanardi knew well. He raced in the F3000 series and took 2nd place at the Kent circuit. He also finished 3rd in the 2008 WTCC race held there.
Zanardi said after winning gold This is a great accomplishment, one of the greatest of my life, i worked very hard to get here. It was great to live such an experience at 45. This moment also brings a little bit of sadness for an adventure the last two years. When you are 20, you appreciate medals. When you are 40, you appreciate what you do every day. I enjoyed every day of training. I've had a magical adventure and this is a fantastic conclusion."
Zanardi's commitment after such a shocking accident has been truly inspiring, to everyone. His story is incredibly moving and today's success is completely deserved. He is a true hero and has showed that no matter what, if you are focused and driven then you can achieve those aims that you set yourself.
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