BOLOGNA — Former Formula One driver and Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi died on Friday evening at age 59. His family said, "He died peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family and friends."

Zanardi was born in Bologna on October 23, 1966. He raced for Jordan, Minardi and Lotus in Formula One in the early 1990s before moving to the United States, where he was series champion in the CART championship in 1997 and 1998. He returned to Formula One with Williams in 1999 before heading back to CART.

In 2001 at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany, the weekend after the September 11 attacks, Zanardi's stalled vehicle was struck by another car at over 300 km/h, resulting in the amputation of both his legs. He went on to win four gold medals and two silver medals at the Paralympic Games, taking medals at the 2012 London Paralympic Games and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games. He also competed in the New York City Marathon and set an Ironman record. In 2019, he competed for BMW at the Rolex 24 of Daytona without his prosthetics.

In June 2020, Zanardi was involved in an accident in Tuscany when his handbike collided with an oncoming truck during a race. He suffered serious facial and cranial trauma and was put in a medically induced coma. He returned home 18 months after the accident.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute on Friday. "Italy loses a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every challenge of life into a lesson in courage, strength and dignity," Meloni said.

Cordiano Dagnoni, head of the Italian Cycling Federation, said, "He transformed the culture of our country, bringing joy and happiness to those fortunate enough to know him, and hope to so many in Italy and around the world."

A minute's silence will be observed at this weekend's races in tribute to Zanardi. He leaves his wife Daniela and son Niccolo.