Pakistan, May 2 -- Former Formula One driver and Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has died at the age of 59, his family confirmed on Saturday. They said he passed away suddenly on Friday evening, surrounded by loved ones. No official cause of death was disclosed.

Zanardi was one of Italy's most admired sports figures, known for his achievements in both motorsport and Paralympic sport. He competed in Formula One before moving to CART racing, where he became a two-time champion. His career later took a dramatic turn after a life-changing accident in 2001.

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Following the crash that led to the amputation of both his legs, Zanardi reinvented himself as a Paralympic handbik...