Zanardi ready to race in DTM with BMW

After winning two golds at the Paralympics, Alex Zanardi is ready to run in the famous German touring series, the DTM.

After losing his legs in a bad crash in 2001, the former F1 driver completed that damned last lap in a CART car, won races in the WTCC with BMW, tested a BMW-Sauber, and climbed onto the roof of the world also in handbikes.

According to Auto Motor und Sport, Zanardi is now ready to return to racing.

A spokesman for the BMW confirmed that the 45-year-old Italian has been in contact with them regarding the DTM.

“If it were up to him, he would already be with us for the next race. However, we are not saying a categorical no or even a categorical yes,” the spokesperson said.

BMW sporting director Jens Marquardt added: “There are many things to consider first of all, both from a design point of view, but also for safety.”

The spokesperson for the German team explained that there is probably no time to allow Zanardi to drive the car this year.

We remember that our compatriot, before winning four races with a hand-controlled WTCC world championship car for the BMW Italy-Spain team, participated in 44 F1 Grands Prix with Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams.

Stefano Rifici