When Alex had his accident at the Lausitzring in 2001 it sent shock waves
through the motorsport community. I can vividly remember watching replays of
the crash. As always when major accidents like that happen it brought home
to all of us drivers the risks involved.
I can remember him getting up on stage at the Autosport Awards at the end of
that year, on his prosthetic legs, and the atmosphere was incredible.
It is an overused word but the manner in which he has come back from his
accident is nothing short of inspirational. More than just his achievements,
which have been considerable — a return to professional motor racing, wins
in German touring cars, an F1 test, and now his hand cycling career — it is
his attitude to life. His boundless energy.
He sees his disability not as a life-sentence but an opportunity. He says now
that the crash was his “ticket” to the Paralympics.
Alex may not have had much fortune in Formula One but he is living proof that
you make your own luck in life, through hard work and a positive attitude.
We’ll all be raising a glass to Alex over in Italy. He’s a true hero.