A farewell ceremony for Alessandro Zanardi was held in the Basilica of Padua. © ANSA / NICOLA FOSSELLA

Touching words: Zanardi laid to rest

Thousands of people in Padua, northern Italy, have bid farewell to former Formula 1 driver and later para-athlete Alessandro Zanardi, who died last week.

05 May 2026

From: dpa/dl

Right next to the coffin, the 59-year-old's handbike stood on the altar of the Basilica of Santa Giustina. Zanardi's coffin was received with applause in the square in front of the basilica, where many had gathered despite the rain.

Mrs. Daniela and son Niccolò thanked the crowd with gestures. A priest read from a letter that then-Pope Francis had sent to Zanardi in 2020 after his accident. The letter stated that Zanardi had turned his disability into "a lesson in humanity."

A life full of events

Zanardi competed in more than 40 Formula 1 races between 1991 and 1999. He lost both legs in a racing accident at the Lausitzring in Brandenburg in 2001. Afterwards, he took up cycling in para-sports and won four gold and two silver medals in handcycling at the Paralympics. In 2020, he had a serious handcycling accident in Tuscany, and, as in 2001, his life was in danger for a considerable time.

Zanardi never recovered from the handbike accident. He had been living in a care facility in Padua for three years. In the summer of 2022, a fire broke out in his family's home, where he kept the essential medical equipment for his rehabilitation.

Touching words from the son

His son Niccolò recounted memories of everyday life with his father, who always smiled when kneading pizza dough or making coffee. From him, he learned that it wasn't about big challenges, but that joy could be found in the little things.