Beyond the Flag
Fansided

Alex Zanardi to Drive for BMW in 2019 Rolex 24

By Mike Knapp

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 24: Former Driver Alex Zanardi talks with Chip Ganassi during a presentation of Zanardi's 1998 Championship winning Target Honda Reynard before final practice on Carb Day for the 97th Indianapolis 500 mile race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MAY 24: Former Driver Alex Zanardi talks with Chip Ganassi during a presentation of Zanardi's 1998 Championship winning Target Honda Reynard before final practice on Carb Day for the 97th Indianapolis 500 mile race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 24, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The 51-year-old Alex Zanardi, who lost the lower half of both legs in a 2001 crash, will drive a specially equipped BMW M8 GTE in the 2019 Rolex 24.

Back in the late 1990’s, Alex Zanardi was arguably one of the best drivers in the world. From 1996 to 1998, he thrilled American open wheel fans with his charismatic, otherworldly driving style.  Though his time racing on U.S. soil was short, he won 15 races and back-to-back CART titles in 1997 and 98.

Zanardi could do anything behind the wheel of a race car. It wasn’t until he came back from losing the lower half of both legs after a devastating crash at the CART race on September 15, 2001 in Lausitz that race fans realized he can do anything he puts his mind towards.

His comeback added another chapter Friday when BMW announced he will compete in the 2019 Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway.

Zanardi will spend the next year as part of the development team for BMW. Between 2005 and 2009, he raced touring cars for the German manufacturer, winning four times.

Triumph Over Tragedy

With just 13 laps to go at Lausitz, Zanardi left the pits and lost control of his car. The car then spun across the track in front of other cars at speed. Alex Tagliani was unable to avoid him and the two cars collided. Zanardi’s car disintegrated, his legs amputated at the knees.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Terry Trammell said the scene was similar to “a bomb blast”. As Trammell approached the car he slipped in what he at first though was oil. He then realized it was Zanardi’s blood.

More from Motorsports

He was given last rites as he was being loaded onto the helicopter. By the time it arrived at the hospital in Berlin 36 minutes after the crash, he was near death.

The fact that Zanardi survived the crash is incredible in itself. The story became improbable when two years later he returned to Lausitz and drove 13 laps at an average of more than 200 miles per hour.

Along with reviving his racing career, Zanardi has also become a world-class endurance athlete. He races handcycles and wheelchairs and is a Paralympian who has competed for Italy at both the Games in London (2012) and Rio (2016). He’s won three gold and two silver medals, while also winning multiple world championships. Zanardi is also an Ironman, having finished the 2014 Kona World Championships.

Next: 3 reasons race car drivers are athletes

No doubt there is still quite a bit of work to have a car ready for him to drive in 13 months time, but if you sell Alex Zanardi short, chances are you will be proven wrong.

Home/Motorsports