Alessandro “Alex” Zanardi, a decorated Italian race driver and later para-cyclist, has died suddenly at the age of 59, his family said in a statement on Saturday. 

“Alex fell asleep peacefully, surrounded by the affection of his loved ones,” the statement said.

The family didn’t go into details on the cause of death, but the double amputee suffered severe cranial injuries in a road accident when riding his handbike in Siena in northern Italy in 2020. 

Who was Alex Zanardi? 

Zanardi was considered one of the brightest prospects of his generation in motorsport, but the stars never aligned for him in Formula 1.

The Jordan, Minardi and Lotus teams he drove for in his first F1 stint were all uncompetitive when he was in the cockpit, and his best career finish was sixth.

Still, Zanardi made enough of a name for himself that he was offered a good drive with Chip Ganassi Racing in the now defunct CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) single-seater series in North America.

He was immediately among the front runners and won the championship in 1997 and 1998, before returning for another roll of the dice in F1 with Williams, alongside Ralf Schumacher. Here, too, his timing was off — reaching the Woking-based team just one year before they would once again have a competitive car and engine. 

On his return to the CART series in 2001, Zanardi suffered a life-changing crash at the Lausitzring in Germany.

He spun, slid back across the track and was then struck by another oncoming car moving at full speed, shearing off the front of his car completely and severely damaging his legs. Zanardi barely survived the crash, almost bleeding out at the scene. Both legs had to be amputated, one at the hip and the other at the knee. 

Zanardi would return to the cockpit in specially modified cars in the World Touring Car Championship and some other events, still showing race-winning pace at times despite his disadvantages. 

A cycling enthusiast prior to his injuries, Zanardi also moved into Paralympic competition as a hand-cyclist, winning four gold medals and two silvers for Italy in 2012 and 2016. 

What did Zanardi’s friends and admirers say in tribute?

Zanardi’s peers, admirers and even Italy’s prime minister rushed to pay tribute to the famously gregarious and upbeat racer and his relentless positivity.

The FIA World Motorsport Federation called him an “enduring symbol of courage and determination.”

The president and CEO of F1, Stefano Domenicali, hailed his “dear friend” Zanardi in an statement online. 

“He was truly an inspirational person, as a human and as an athlete. I will always carry with me his extraordinary strength. He faced challenges that would have stopped anyone, yet he continued to look forward, always with a smile and a stubborn determination that inspired us all,” Domenicali said. 

“No words can express my feelings about this guy,” Zanardi’s old team boss Chip Ganassi wrote after the pair shared back-to-back championships in the late 90s. “I like winners.” 

Even Prime Minster Giorgia Meloni lauded Zanardi’s spirit and character. 

“Italy has lost a great champion and an extraordinary man, capable of turning every trial of life into a lesson in courage, strength, and dignity,” she wrote.

Italy’s Olympic Committee (CONI) asked all sporting bodies in the country to hold a minute’s silence in Zanardi’s honor at sporting events this weekend. 

Edited by: Louis Oelofse

Advertisement

The Real Madrid has been linked with making a summer move to Manchester United

Paul Pogba has given an insight into what Manchester United would be getting if they sign Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni.

The Frenchman is reportedly near the top of the club’s midfield shortlist and could be offloaded by the 15-time European champions, provided they can secure a quality replacement. Los Blancos have linked with Manchester City’s Rodri, whom president Florentino Perez is said to admire.

Signing a player entering his prime years would be a real statement of intent by United, who have been linked with a host of other midfield options, including Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Ex-United midfielder Pogba knows all about Tchouameni, having played alongside him in the French national team. Speaking in 2021, Pogba raved about the then-21-year-old, telling RTL: “Very, very good. He’s not a boy, he’s a man. It’s a pleasure to play next to him.

“He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality. We wish him to play a lot more games and that I am always by his side.”

The pair’s time together in the national team was brief as Pogba hasn’t played for France since 2022, while Tchouameni has become a key figure in Didier Deschamps’ midfield.

Meanwhile, Tchouameni has already been told what to expect if he decides to swap the Bernabeu for Old Trafford. Raphael Varane made the switch in 2021, having won 18 trophies during his decade in Spain.

Having turned United down earlier in his career, Varane explained why he felt it was the right time to head to Manchester on The Bridge podcast with Tchouameni in March last year.

Despite an injury-hit spell at United, he has no regrets. Varane told him: “Madrid is indescribable, it’s exceptional, but I’ve already experienced it. And I said to myself, ‘I want to experience something else.’

“For me, England, and Manchester in particular, is where you feel the passion for football. You feel it, you live it every day. Now that some time has passed, I have no regrets because it was an incredible experience.”

United will hope those words of wisdom left a lasting impact on Tchouameni as he weighs up his future.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Texas Tech is not likely to have Brendan Sorsby for the 2026 season amidst an NCAA investigation.

Could the Red Raiders explore transfer portal QBs currently available?

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, Spencer McLaughlin discusses USC and Michigan going into the 2026 season.

The Trojans should expect to remain ahead of the Wolverines after beating them in 2025.

Florida has one of the most compelling QB battles in the country between Aaron Philo and Trammel Jones. Did either one separate himself during Spring Practice?

00:00 Texas Tech’s quarterback decision
03:38 Discussing potential football lineup adjustments
09:25 Discussing Texas Tech’s strong roster
12:52 USC and Michigan football schedules
16:37 USC and Michigan football outlook
20:54 Unresolved quarterback battle
28:10 Evaluating Tramell Jones’s potential

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

With the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaching fast across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, excitement is building globally. However, the buildup has also been overshadowed by a wave of injuries that could keep several top footballers out of the tournament. With just weeks remaining before kick-off in Mexico City on June 11, even minor setbacks are proving costly for players hoping to represent their nations.

Brazil’s Attacking Crisis

Brazil’s squad depth in attack is world-class, but injuries have disrupted their plans. Rodrygo is one of the biggest misses after suffering a serious ACL injury, ruling him out of the tournament. He had hoped to bounce back after earlier heartbreak but now faces a long recovery.

Defensive concerns also persist as Éder Militão is unlikely to recover in time following major surgery in April, while young talent Estevão remains doubtful due to a hamstring issue.

France Lose a Rising Star

Netherlands Without Xavi Simons

The Netherlands, semi-finalists at Euro 2024, have also been hit hard. Xavi Simons has been ruled out after tearing his ACL during a Premier League match. Known for his creativity and attacking spark, his absence leaves a major gap in Ronald Koeman’s midfield plans.

Germany Face Attacking Concerns

Germany’s attack has also suffered a setback with Serge Gnabry sidelined due to an adductor injury. His versatility and goal-scoring ability were expected to play a key role under Julian Nagelsmann, but he now misses another major international tournament.

USA Lose Home Advantage Boost

Co-hosts USA have been dealt a blow as striker Patrick Agyemang is ruled out with a serious Achilles injury. He had been a promising option after scoring against Portugal in recent internationals, but will now miss the chance to play on home soil.

Mexico’s Goalkeeping Setback

Mexico will also be without key goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón, who suffered an Achilles rupture during club duty. His absence opens the door for veteran Guillermo Ochoa, who could make history by appearing in a sixth World Cup.

As preparations continue for the global tournament, injuries are reshaping national team plans across continents. With several stars already ruled out, coaches will now be forced to rethink strategies ahead of football’s biggest stage.

The New York Mets, despite having the worst record in Major League Baseball at 10-21, will not be making a managerial change.

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said the team’s problems do not lie with Carlos Mendoza.

“We know our record is not what we want, and we know we are capable of more,” Stearns told MLB.com. “We don’t view this as a manager problem, and we don’t intend to make a change.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza leaves the field after removing pitcher Devin Williams during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins in New York, N.Y., April 21, 2026. (Frank Franklin II/AP Photo)

The Mets’ 10-21 start is the third-worst in franchise history, and only the 1981 (8-22-1) and 1964 (9-22) Mets teams had worse starts through 31 games. The Mets have endured a 12-game losing streak and have lost their last five out of six games to the lowly Colorado Rockies and Washington Nationals.

No team has ever lost 12 consecutive games and made the postseason.

Mets officials still believe in the roster assembled by Stearns but believe the roster and baseball operations also share blame for the team’s poor start, according to MLB.com.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza returns to the dugout after making a pitching change during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago April 18, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP Photo)

Mendoza, 46, is in his third season managing the Mets. In 2024, the team started 24-35 but rallied and made a surprise run to the NLCS before losing to the eventual World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In 2025, the Mets had the best record in the National League on June 4 at 39-23, but the team went into free fall after that and missed the postseason by one game, going 44-56 down the stretch.

With the team’s struggles from the second half of last season and the horrid start to this season, the noise around Mendoza’s job security has only increased. But the Mets don’t intend to make any changes just yet.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza stands for “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a game against the Chicago Cubs in Chicago April 17, 2026. (Erin Hooley/AP Photo)

Mendoza has a 182-173 record in his three seasons at the helm.

The Mets will look to begin their journey out of MLB’s basement when they play the Los Angeles Angels (12-20) on Friday at 9:38 p.m. ET.

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

After years of back and forth, an agreement has finally been made for a blockbuster domestic clash between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, and now promoter Frank Warren has revealed whether a rematch clause is in place.

Fury has been involved in a host of rematches during his career; fighting each of John McDermott, Derek Chisora, Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk on more than one occasion, seeking to avenge controversial wins, draws or defeats.

Similarly, Joshua instantly rematched both Andy Ruiz and Usyk after suffering the first two losses of his career, but has shown little interest in revisiting a scrap with Daniel Dubois – the only other man to hand him a defeat in his 33 pro fights.

In a matter of months, ‘The Gypsy King’ and Joshua look set to collide at last, providing Joshua gets through his comeback against Kristian Prenga unscathed, but Warren told BBC Sport that this will be the only occasion on which they fight, suspecting that the loser may retire.

“Yes, [it is a one-fight deal]. The fight, when they step into the ring with Tyson and AJ, for the loser – that will be it. That will be it and that is how it will be. The loser, I don’t see where he will go. For the winner, it’s a choice of what does he wants to do next?”

First things first, ‘AJ’ must overcome the unheralded Prenga in July, while ‘The Gypsy King’ could also now be set to take a bout in the interim too, before Joshua and Fury then turn their attention to one another.

MI and CSK players after the match. (Pic credit: IPL)

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes Mumbai Indians hold the edge over Chennai Super Kings ahead of their high-profile IPL 2026 clash, citing the depth and experience in Mumbai’s squad.Chennai Super Kings (CSK) host Mumbai Indians (MI) tonight, May 2, 2026, at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk) in a high-stakes “El Clásico” that could determine playoff survival for both struggling five-time champions. Both teams are languishing in the bottom half of the table, CSK sits at No. 6 with 6 points, while MI is 9th with just 4 points from eight games.