Quotes from Alex Zanardi

I lost my legs in a big crash and, of course, after that, there were times, not so much of darkness, but certainly times where it was very uncertain of what my future would hold.

Proving to my friends, family, and the people that I love that they were wrong - that in spite of my age and my lack of experience, I could change sport and achieve something really special - gives me a lot of satisfaction.

Everything I do through the course of my life, every day I do it with my arms, and it means that by using this muscle so much I have changed gradually the state of my muscle, turning my muscle into red fibers.

I enjoy being in the middle of my journey much more than being close to the end.

I have to give this comment about the American people - they are very good fans. But they are very protective. I think they would prefer it if their great stars are born in America. They are the ones that only stay in the hearts of the fans. And that's understandable.

It warms my heart, no doubt, to inspire people. In reality, people see in others what they want to see in themselves.

You don't know how many times I fell just taking ridiculous small steps.

I am out to prove that there are no obstacles for the disabled.

Having no legs doesn't mean you can't drive fast and I wasn't going to be happy scoring the odd point. I thought it was possible to win and went for it.

I think you can learn from other people's mistakes and other people's strengths, and that is why I have always been watching, with particular attention, other drivers - and not only drivers at the top.

It may look weird to an outsider to watch me jump out of the car basically walking on my arms. Of course, it's very easy for me.

Vancouver has always been a place of mixed results for me. I've always been fast there, but I've never been able to collect the kind of result I could have.

Vancouver is a street course in the true meaning of the word. There are a lot of places where you can lose the car and end up staying there at least for the session, or for the rest of the race.

I believe the perfect life is the right combination between great things, great success and stupid mistakes or failures.

In para-cycling I am a veteran with Olympic medals now.

You want to climb the mountain because it's there and you know you can do it.

When I first climbed into a go-kart, aged 13, I thought to myself: 'This is what I want to do with my life, and I want to drive F1.'

It's always good to let people know your emotions for them because love is what drives everything.

As far as talking, I'm a pretty competitive dude.

The U.S. is where I was given the greatest opportunity to turn my life from a very nice one to an exceptional one.

Losing my legs was one of the greatest opportunities of my life.