Beloved racer Alex Zanardi, who turned tragedy into Paralympic triumph, dead at 59

The car racing satellite is mourning the nonaccomplishment of Alex Zanardi. The Italian Formula 1 driver, who aboriginal became a Paralympic champion aft 2 life-altering accidents, has died, his household announced Saturday. He was 59.

The household confirmed that loved ones were with Zanardi erstwhile helium died. "Alex died peacefully, surrounded by the affection of those closest to him," the household said successful a statement. A origin of decease was not provided.

Zanardi's household besides said that it "Thanks everyone who is sharing their enactment close present and asks for respect during this clip of mourning."

Zanardi suffered superior injuries successful a 2020 handbike accident, colliding with an oncoming motortruck during a relay lawsuit successful Italy. He sustained facial and cranial trauma and was placed successful a medically induced coma.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Alessandro Zanardi of Italy celebrates holding his golden medal aft winning the men's roadworthy rhythm idiosyncratic clip proceedings H4 class astatine the 2012 Paralympics astatine Brands Hatch centrifugal racing circuit adjacent London connected Sept. 5, 2012. (Alastair Grant/AP)

Nearly 2 decades earlier, Zanardi mislaid some of his legs successful an car racing crash.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Zanardi successful a station connected X, saying successful part, "Italy loses a large champion and an bonzer man, susceptible of turning each situation of beingness into a acquisition successful courage, strength, and dignity. Alex Zanardi knew however to bounce backmost each time, facing adjacent the toughest challenges with determination, clarity, and a spot of tone that was genuinely exceptional."

Zanardi won back-to-back championships successful CART successful 1997 and 1998 successful the U.S. He past concisely returned to F1.

He yet came backmost stateside, racing successful Germany successful a CART lawsuit successful 2001 erstwhile some of his legs were severed successful a horrific mishap the play aft the Sept. 11 violent attacks. CART raced lone due to the fact that the bid was already successful Germany astatine the clip of the attacks and could not instrumentality to the U.S.

FIGURE SKATER MAXIM NAUMOV MAKES US OLYMPIC TEAM ONE YEAR AFTER LOSING BOTH PARENTS IN TRAGIC DC PLANE CRASH.

Zanardi was near successful a three-day coma pursuing the 2001 crash.

During his recovery, Zanardi designed his ain prosthetics and learned to locomotion again. He past turned his attraction to manus cycling and developed into 1 of the sport's astir accomplished athletes successful the world.

He won 4 golden medals and 2 silvers astatine the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, competed successful the New York City Marathon and acceptable an Ironman record.

Driver Alex Zanardi (24) of BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE, looks connected earlier the Rolex 24 astatine Daytona astatine Daytona International Speedway successful Daytona Beach, Florida, connected Jan. 26, 2019. (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

Zanardi utilized specially adapted cars with manus controls for state and braking to instrumentality up racing again aft the 2001 accident.

Stefano Domenicali, the president and CEO of F1, said helium was "deeply saddened by the passing of my beloved friend," calling Zanardi "truly an inspirational person, arsenic a quality and arsenic an athlete."

"He faced challenges that would person stopped anyone, yet helium continued to look forward, ever with a grin and a stubborn determination that inspired america all," Domenicali added. "While his nonaccomplishment is profoundly felt, his bequest remains strong."

Alex Zanardi of Italy crosses the decorativeness enactment astatine the IRONMAN 70.3 Emilia Romagna successful Cervia, Italy, connected Sept. 22, 2019. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images for IRONMAN)

After Zanardi’s 2020 crash, Pope Francis praised him arsenic a awesome of spot successful adversity and sent a handwritten missive offering encouragement and prayers.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Before Saturday’s F1 sprint contention successful Miami Gardens, Florida, a infinitesimal of soundlessness honored Zanardi. The Italian Olympic Committee besides called for a infinitesimal of soundlessness astatine sporting events crossed Italy.

Zanardi is survived by his wife, Daniela, and son, Niccolò.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.