Zanardi wins in GT3!

Superhero Alex Zanardi returns from Paralympic gold to a racing car, wins again...

What is there that Alex Zanardi can't do? This weekend he made his debut in a specially modified BMW M6 GT3 at Mugello, the final round of the Italian GT championship. A year after he last raced a car - he took a break to win another three (!) Paralympic medals - Zanardi finished sixth in Saturday's race; on Sunday he won.

Well done Alex!

Think about that as an achievement. Not only getting back into motorsport after such a time, but driving a brand new car as well. Without the use of your legs. Alex Zanardi will not give up!

He had qualified third for Sunday's race, promoted to second when the car in that position was damaged. He had taken the lead by the time he had to pit, which he maintained to the chequered flag.

"There are no words to describe what I feel", said Zanardi, "to win the race is something else. I did not have the start I wanted, but I had a great car underneath me. So I knew it was just a question of putting in some good laps as soon as the guys in front of me pitted, and that is what I did." Simple as that, right? This ahead of his 50th birthday next weekend...

As yet Zanardi's next motorsport move isn't known. But with the special livery created for his Olympic success, his birthday and BMW Italy's 50th anniversary, surely this car/driver combo needs to see another race. Bring on 2017.