Zanardi proud of F1 test at Valencia

For the first time since the 1999 Japanese Grand Prix, Touring car ace Alessandro Zanardi returns behind the wheel of a Formula One car. At Valencia, the WTCC driver is going to conduct a test for the BMW Sauber F1 Team.

Within the scope of the DELL Formula BMW World Finals, held from 24th to 26th November, Zanardi is going to complete some laps with a BMW Sauber F1.06 that was adapted to meet his special needs. "My accident is the main reason why we are talking about this test, isn't it" says Zanardi. "When I finish tenth in a race, today, everybody comes to congratulate. The expectations have changed: people are amazed that I'm able to race at all."

Five years ago, in a Champ Car race at the Eurospeedway Lausitz, the now 40-year-old suffered a nearly fatal accident that cost him both his legs. But his enormous willpower and his motor racing enthusiasm helped the former Formula One ace to find his way back into life and onto the racetracK.

In the past two years, he contested the World Touring car Championship with a modified BMW 320si. In 2005, Zanardi sensationally won the WTCC round at Oschersleben and was decorated with the 'Laureaus World Sports Award'. "I'm proud of demonstrating that you can battle agains your destiny," he reveals. "And that you possibly can't achieve anything but a lot if you really go for it."