Alessandro "Alex" Zanardi was already a two-time CART champion when he lost his legs in a near fatal accident, at the Lausitzring, in 2001. His prowesses as an amputee only cemented his reputation.
And recently, the Italian driver told Telegraph journalist Ian Chadband, that even if he could get his legs back, he would not want them.
After all, he has been enjoying remarkable success since his crash.
On the track, thanks to hand-operated controls, he tested open-wheel cars again, including a Formula One single seater. He also tasted victory again, in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), where he won a handful of events. Most recently, he took the wheel of BMW M3 DTM car, also fitted with a hand-operated accelerator.
But out of the cockpit too, he set out an example for his peers.
In 2007, he competed in the handcycle category of the New York City Marathon, placing fourth, and, in 2012, won three medals (two gold, one silver) at the London Paralympic Games.
"I know the world has this image of racing drivers getting out of their private jets just to jump on their private yacht," Zanardi told The Telegraph. "And, though I'm not saying people would wish them the worst, when I had my accident, subconsciously, I guess a lot of people deep also said: 'Ok, now I want to see what you're going to do'.
"Well, what I did was carry on my life as if nothing had happened," he answers.
"It would be really hard if tomorrow morning, God appeared and said: 'I can grant you a normal life again' – that is with legs – because that would mean I would have to give up my life which I feel very comfortable with."
And recently, the Italian driver told Telegraph journalist Ian Chadband, that even if he could get his legs back, he would not want them.
After all, he has been enjoying remarkable success since his crash.
On the track, thanks to hand-operated controls, he tested open-wheel cars again, including a Formula One single seater. He also tasted victory again, in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), where he won a handful of events. Most recently, he took the wheel of BMW M3 DTM car, also fitted with a hand-operated accelerator.
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| Alex Zanardi climbing aboard the gold BMW M3 DTM car he tested (Photo: BMW Motorsport) |
But out of the cockpit too, he set out an example for his peers.
In 2007, he competed in the handcycle category of the New York City Marathon, placing fourth, and, in 2012, won three medals (two gold, one silver) at the London Paralympic Games.
"I know the world has this image of racing drivers getting out of their private jets just to jump on their private yacht," Zanardi told The Telegraph. "And, though I'm not saying people would wish them the worst, when I had my accident, subconsciously, I guess a lot of people deep also said: 'Ok, now I want to see what you're going to do'.
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| In the competition, Zanardi actually used his hands to power his wheel chair (Photo Ralph Hardwick) |
"Well, what I did was carry on my life as if nothing had happened," he answers.
"It would be really hard if tomorrow morning, God appeared and said: 'I can grant you a normal life again' – that is with legs – because that would mean I would have to give up my life which I feel very comfortable with."