BMW has just announced Alessandro Zanardi will run testing in an F1.06 Formula 1 car later this November. Zanardi has recently won two rounds driving for the BMW Team Italy-Spain in the FIA WTCC series. Most people would consider getting into a an F1 car at the age of forty a true accomplishment, but what makes this event truly remarkable and in fact record breaking, is the fact that Zanardi lost both of his legs in an accident in 2001. He will be the first ever driver to have had his legs amputated to drive an F1 machine. BMW is specially modifying a car to meet his needs. The throttle and brakes will be controlled on the steering wheel by using a modified version of the shift paddles. While new lap records are not expected, I don't think anyone would be surprised.
Zanardi had this to say: "First of all I would like to say thank you to BMW for this opportunity. That's just amazing for me. Of course, I know that I won't get a contract with the Formula One team. However, having the chance to drive an F1 racer again is just incredible. Formula One is all about development speed. Therefore, I'm really excited to see what has changed since my last Grand Prix in 1999. I can call myself a very happy man, as I turned my passion into my profession. Despite having been a race driver for quite a while now, I still feel the fire burning in me. Formula One is - and will always be - the pinnacle of motor racing. I can hardly wait for the moment, when the V8 engine is started."