The Rolex 24 at Daytona, January 24-27 2019

Updated: Oct 21, 2020
How exciting to see Alex Zanardi fulfill his dream to participate in the Rolex 24 for BMW. The bleachers are still empty but it will be a special and unique weekend. - Apart from a particularly loaded business schedule. "A bit like Jimi Hendrix." The manner in which the handicapped BMW works driver controls the BMW M8 GTE is comparable to a virtuoso performance. Together with BMW M Motorsport, Zanardi has developed a special system that allows him to accelerate with a throttle ring on the steering wheel but also allows him to brake by hand, by using a brake lever. Zanardi has to complete – and be able to coordinate – extremely complex processes in every turn: “When you press the lever with your hand, on the same time you have to have a different feel with your fingers. So your muscles are doing one thing, and other muscles are doing another thing. This is incredibly complicated. Probably, it will be easier for a guitar player, someone who is used to use his hands in a different way. And while I am doing this, my head is basically focused on applying the right amount of pressure but I am kind flipping the throttle as I need to feel a little bit of power but at the same time I am steering with the left hand. So every single muscle is dedicated to handle a particular operation and synchronise this all. And then I have to change something if something goes wrong – if the car goes sideways or you go a little deep into the corner and you lock the front wheel. Then I have to reduce a little bit the pressure and maybe downshift a second longer. Well, at times it gets complicated.”
Alessandro (Alex) Zanardi Impressions from Daytona Impressions from Daytona Impressions from Daytona Impressions from Daytona Impressions from Daytona Impressions from Daytona Impressions from Daytona





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