Zanardi: “An incredibly intense race”

Alessandro zanardi (BMW) did not secure a podium at the 24 2019 Hours of Daytona (Florida), but the Italian's bet paid off. The Paralympic disabled cycling champion finished the double clock in ninth place in the GTLM category, but for the former pilot of Formula 1, the satisfaction was simply seeing the checkered flag.

“We had an incredibly intense race, he remarked. BMW won the class (With the sister car driven by Connor de Phillippi-Augusto Farfus-Philipp Eng-Colton Herta), after all, I'm part of the team so I feel a bit like the winner! »

Here's the moment we have been waiting for: @lxznr gets in for his first stint at the # Rolex24 At Daytona. Forza, Alex! #MISSION8 #GoAlex @IMSA @Rolex24Hours # Rolex24 #RaceTheLimit pic.twitter.com/V947Trqe20

- BMW Motorsport (@BMWMotorsport) 26th January 2019

Hopes of a good result were dashed with the first driver change. Indeed, at the moment when Alessandro Zanardi had to install his adapted steering wheel in the steering column, the cylinders used to lift the BMW M8 gave way. As a result, the steering column was damaged, and the Italian could no longer insert his steering wheel properly, thus causing a long repair.

“We really tried all possible scenarios in testing, specifies the driver who had his legs amputated after a Cart accident in 2001, but this had never happened to us before. But that’s motorsport. You have to accept it. » 

His boss, Jens Marquardt, preferred to call back the courage of the man despite the difficult conditions of the race. “He fought like a lion and refused to be put down despite the incidents. That's what makes him so special, and why fans love him. »

Find in issue 2201 of AUTOhebdo, available Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands, the analysis of the 24 Hours of Daytona carried out by our special correspondent.