Former Formula 1 Driver Alex Zanardi Wins Gold in Paralympics for Handcycle

Former Formula 1 driver and two-time CART Champion Alex Zanardi won a gold medal in the Paralympics today in the 10-mile Handcycle. He covered the course in 24 minutes 50.22 seconds. He was 27.28 seconds ahead of the competitor in second place. This is Zanardi's first gold medal. He will compete in two other races during the Paralympics: a road race on September 7 and a team relay on September 8. Zanardi competes for the Italian Paralympic Team. 

"Just loaded my bag in the car to leave to London. For a brief moment I found myself thinking of all the things I've done. I'm a lucky boy," said Zanardi on Twitter prior to the race. 

Zanardi raced in Formula 1 for five seasons but scored only one point in his entire career. He moved to CART in 1996 and won back to back championships in 1997 and 1998. He drove for Williams in 1999 but was unsuccessful. He tried to move back to CART in 2001 and suffered a crash at the Lausitzring where he lost both of his legs. After four years of recovery, Zanardi began racing for BMW in the World Touring Car Championship from 2005 to 2009. He took four overall wins in the series and one pole position. 

Zanardi now builds kart chassis and competes in handcycling. He has won the Venice Marathon, Rome Marathon and New York City Marathon for handcyclists. 

Source CBS News