Alessandro Zanardi will compete in the Misano races

After driving the Z4 GT3 in Blancpain GT Series, notably at the 24 Hours of Spa in 2015, then the M6 ​​GT3 in Italian GT, Alessandro zanardi will find the seat of a BMW creation, in DTM this time, August 25 and 26.

The Italian will compete in the two night races in Misano on the banks of the Adriatic, at home, at the wheel of an M4 DTM specially adapted to his handicap. Zanardi had both legs amputated following his 2001 accident at the Lausitzring.

The former double CART champion was able to compete in an M2012 DTM in 3 and also drove the M4 DTM Race Taxi during the final of the 2015 season. Before returning to the seat of the M4, the Transalpine will accompany the BMW Motorsport teams this weekend in Hungary to familiarize themselves with the procedures, before carrying out several driving sessions.

“I'm incredibly excited to drive the M4 at Misano because I've always dreamed of adding the DTM experience to my 'highlights book' of my motorsport career, comments the multiple Paralympic champion in Hand-Bike.

DTM has for many years been one of the major disciplines in terms of technology, car speed and the level of competition, which today is higher than ever.

The skills of the championship drivers and the preparation of the teams are, in my opinion, as good as in Formula 1. They are at the top and you can't find better. And on the other hand, this is what concerns me and will make me face this challenge with great respect, knowing that it will be one of the most difficult things I have ever done in my racing career.

I'm really grateful that BMW came up with this project and thanks to all the engineers in Munich who are already preparing the car. I will do my best to represent them in such a competitive category. »

« We are delighted to welcome such a famous guest for our Misano debut, admits Gerhard Berger, boss of ITR, promoter of the DTM. Alex Zanardi is very popular, not only in his home country Italy.

His impressive performances as an athlete, as well as his unwavering optimism and humanity, go far beyond sport and have already inspired millions of spectators around the world.

Alex never approaches anything lightly. We therefore know that he will prepare in an extremely professional manner, with a lot of ambition, in order to deliver a high-level performance in front of his supporters. ".