How do Alessandro Zanardi's adapted controls work?

A true lesson in courage, Alessandro zanardi is about to discover the DTM with an exceptional participation in the Misano night races (Italy) on August 25 and 26. For the occasion, the 51-year-old Italian will not run with his prosthetic legs, the result of a horrific accident at the Lausitzring in 2001 where his legs were crushed.

The two-time CART champion (1997 and 1998) will control his BMW M4 through controls modified by Bavarian engineers. Main innovation, the brakes will be controllable by a system by hand. Requiring less effort than a pedal, the brake lever will be placed on the central cockpit console, to the pilot's right.

With an ingenious new brake cylinder, Alessandro Zanardi will be able to slow down his car as effectively as his opponents who will use the pedals. The latter need to apply a force of 100 to 120 kilos to brake the car with their foot, when the recent handi-bike world champion push to 70 kilos with the strength of the right arm.

The clutch is also adapted. The former WTCC driver will benefit froman automatic centrifugal clutch (opening according to engine speed), where the DTM uses a manual hydraulic clutch when starting and stopping in the pits. This will allow Alessandro Zanardi to take care of the accelerator and the gearbox in these crucial moments...

Precisely, the accelerator takes the form of a circle at the back of the steering wheel, a formula practiced among other things during his participation in the 24 2015 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in a BMW Z4 GT3. Simply pull the hoop towards you to accelerate, with one hand or a few fingers, and release it to decelerate.

Finally, BMW engineers left two options for changing gears. The first is to use the paddle on the right edge of the steering wheel, the system common to all DTM cars. But, due to the use of the right hand to brake (you have to follow!), Alessandro Zanardi will also havea paddle at the top of the brake lever.

The four-time Paralympic champion is taking part in private tests on the Vallelunga track (Italy) on Wednesday and Thursday to establish a check-up of this command post like no other.

Sound on. Vroooooaam. First outing for @lxznr in his BMW M4 DTM at Vallelunga. Have fun! #GoAlex #AndiamoAMisano pic.twitter.com/0qgQYe26TN

- BMW Motorsport (@BMWMotorsport) August 7, 2018