It was in that formula that he suffered his infamous 320kmh crash at Lausitzring in Germany in September 2001, escaping with his life, but losing both his legs. The pope praised Zanardi as an example of strength amid adversity. Zanardi, who raced in F1 for Jordan, Minardi, Lotus and Williams, took up handcycling after losing his legs in a racing accident in 2001, and went on to win four Paralympic gold medals. But the hospital which runs the center said Zanardi has been transferred to the intensive care unit at the San Raffaelle hospital in Milan after his condition became unstable. pic.twitter.com/9gNpQoc1ds, Mai ti sei arreso e con la tua straordinaria forza d'animo hai superato mille difficoltà. Zanardi's plight was captured in the headlines of all the major Italian sports papers as news spread of the seriousness of his accident. Zanardi, 53, underwent three delicate surgeries at the Siena hospital to stabilize him and reconstruct his severely damaged face after crashing into an oncoming truck near the Tuscan town of Pienza on June 19 during a relay event. Updated 1119 GMT (1919 HKT) June 21, 2020. In an incredible show of determination and spirit, Zanardi adapted to his prosthetic legs and returned to compete in the European Touring Car Championship in 2003, driving for BMW. "Alex is one of life's truly inspirational people and as we all know, a fighter through and through. I am his friend. Dr. Giuseppe Olivieri, the head of neurosurgery at Siena's Santa Maria alle Scotte hospital, spoke to media later on Saturday to give an update on Zanardi's condition. He was a winner and two-time champion in the CART series who also drove in Formula One and IMSA. Alex Zanardi, a four-time Paralympic gold medalist, is in “serious but stable” condition after having a second operation for head injuries he suffered June 19 in a handbike crash. The Italian was seriously injured while riding his handbike in Siena in northern Italy in July, and this week the hospital where he is being treated gave an update on his condition. A fascinating battle for victory & Hulk on the hop: What To Watch For in the Eifel GP, Hamilton takes record-equalling 91st victory as Ricciardo claims first Renault podium at Eifel GP, 'We're getting closer to Mercedes' - Verstappen seeing the positives despite missing pole in Germany, Hulkenberg delighted with ‘totally unexpected’ P8 on one-off return in Germany, MUST-SEE: Mick Schumacher presents Hamilton with one of his father's helmets as Brit equals Michael's win tally, © 2003-2020 Formula One World Championship Limited. Alex Zanardi: Former F1 driver moved to specialist recovery centre a month after serious handbike crash. The hospital also confirmed he had undergone surgery “aimed at craniofacial reconstruction”, with a second operation planned in the next few weeks, and said he was having cognitive and motor rehabilitation sessions. Zanardi, lost both of his legs in an auto racing crash nearly 20 years ago, suffered serious facial and cranial trauma, and doctors have warned of possible brain damage. Our thoughts and the thoughts of the whole BMW family are with him. But despite what they described as “significant advances” the medical staff said any long term assessment of Zanardi’s condition was premature given “the persistence of a complex general clinical picture”.