Inspirational former American open-wheel star Alex Zanardi will return to racing in the Blancpain Sprint Series after four years away from the sport.
The former F1 and CART/IndyCar star diverted his energies toward last year’s London Paralympics where he famously won two gold medals with his hand-bicycle.
Zanardi will campaign a BMW Z4 GT3 for the ROAL Motorsport operation for which he drove in the European Touring Car Championship in 2004 and the World Touring Car Championship from 2005-2009.
A double CART winner with Chip Ganassi in the late 1990’s, Zanardi was lucky to survive an horrific accident at the Laustizring in Germany in 2001 when he lost both his legs.
Zanardi had tested a DTM BMW M3 at the Nurburgring in November, 2012, which sparked his desire to make a comeback.
“Ever since that moment, I have been toying with the idea of returning to motor racing,” Zanardi said.
“Together with BMW, we have looked at various options and I am pleased that it has worked out with my old friends at ROAL Motorsport.”
BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt added: “I cannot express how delighted I am that one of the greatest heroes in the history of BMW Motorsport is returning to the cockpit of one of our racing cars.”
Zanardi will still be able to prepare to defend his titles at the Paralympics in Rio de Janiero next year.
The Italian’s plans are a major boost for the Blancpain Sprint Series (previously named FIA GT Series), which has this year lost its previous drawcard Sebastien Loeb to the World Touring Car Championship.
