Incredibile! The DTM debut weekend DTM at the Italian seaside resort Misano (24th to 26th August) will be splendid. The event held at the Adriatic Riviera will feature magic moments: Alessandro Zanardi will contest the 13th and 14th rounds of the season as guest driver in the cockpit of a BMW M4 DTM adapted to his needs. Zanardi executed a DTM test with a BMW M3 DTM as early as 2012 and drove the BMW M4 DTM Race Taxi on the occasion of the 2015 season finale.
« We created a fantastic package for our debut race meeting at Misano, » says Achim Kostron, CEO of DTM’s umbrella organisation ITR. « The circuit alone, being located that close to the sandy beach of the Italian Adriatic coast, will add to a hopefully unforgettable DTM race meeting in Italy. And the fact that we may welcome Alessando Zanardi as guest driver is just amazing. »
With Alex Zanardi, a very special motor racer is going to make his DTM debut In a horrible crash in the 2001 Indy Car race meeting at the Lausitzring, Zanardi lost both his legs. But the Italian continued his impressive career as sportsman with the same level of ambition he had displayed prior to the accident. The 51-year old is a prime example for the fact that you never should give up. Representative for countless disabled people, the BMW brand ambassador demonstrates that you even can live successfully and happily following major setbacks. After his recovery, he competed in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) and the Blancpain GT Series. He won four Gold and two Silver Medals in the Paralympics and is eight-time Para-Cycling World Champion. Furthermore, he regularly contests triathlons.
« I feel like a kid in a candy store and massively look forward to racing the BMW M4 DTM at Misano, » says Zanardi. « As motor-racing enthusiast I had planned to definitely make the trip to Misano and attend the first DTM night races in the history of the sport. But to now be in the cockpit and contest the races myself is just fantastic. »
ITR Chairman Gerhard Berger gives kudos to the Italian. « We are really delighted with having the chance of welcoming such a famous guest driver on the DTM grid, at Misano. Alex Zanardi is extremely popular – and not only in his home country Italy. His extraordinarily impressive performances as athlete, his imperturbable optimism and his humanity stick out far beyond the sport and already inspired millions all over the world. » The ITR-Boss is convinced that Zanardi’s involvement will result in an impressive sporting merit. « Alex never displays a half-hearted approach – far from it. As we know him, he also will prepare highly professionally and with maximum ambition for his DTM guest appearance to deliver in great style, in front of his home crowd. Welcome in DTM, dear Alex! »
Press release DTM
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