Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

It happened on September 15th: Alex Zanardi suffers life-altering crash

Get the best interest rate
Josée Paquet
Exactly 12 years ago, Alex Zanardi suffered a nearly fatal crash during a CART race at the Lausitzring in Germany. After losing control of his car at the end of the pits, he was violently struck by Alexandre Tagliani's car, which came flying at more than 320 km/h.

Upon impact, Zanardi's legs were crushed and he lost a lot of blood. Rushed to the hospital, the lucky-to-be-alive driver underwent double amputation at knee level.

His passion for racing, however, was never damaged.

In 2003, using a specially modified race car, Zanardi symbolically completed the final 13 laps at the track which had nearly killed him in 2001. Amazingly, he reached speeds that would have earned him fifth place had he been qualifying for the race that weekend.

Since then, Zanardi has taken part in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, where he won three medals including two golds, and recently secured the H4 World Championship.

Alex Zanardi
Alex Zanardi, London 2012 (Photo: London 2012)


Josée Paquet
Josée Paquet
Automotive expert